What were the black codes and what did they keep African Americans from doing?

The Black Codes were laws enacted in the Southern United States after the Civil War, aimed at restricting the freedoms and rights of African Americans. They sought to maintain white supremacy and control over the African American population by limiting their ability to own property, vote, and access education or employment opportunities. These laws effectively enforced racial segregation and economic exploitation, undermining the rights and progress gained during Reconstruction.