Why were black codes put in places in oh southern states?

Black Codes were enacted in Southern states after the Civil War to limit the rights and freedoms of newly freed African Americans. These laws aimed to maintain white supremacy and control over the Black population by imposing restrictions on labor, movement, and civil rights. They sought to ensure a steady supply of cheap labor and to reinforce social hierarchies that had existed during slavery. Ultimately, Black Codes were a way to circumvent the gains made by African Americans during Reconstruction.