What was a direct consequence of Nat Turner's Rebellion for the southern states?

The choice regarding stricter enforcement of slave codes is correct as it directly reflects the response of southern states to the fear and chaos instigated by Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831. Following the uprising, which involved the killing of white slaveholders, southern states became increasingly alarmed about the potential for more revolts and the growing tension surrounding slavery. As a result, they implemented more rigorous slave laws, including limitations on the movement, education, and assembly of enslaved people, to prevent similar insurrections in the future.

This reaction was driven by a desire to maintain control and prevent any further challenges to the institution of slavery. The southern states' governments believed that tightening these laws would effectively quell any rebellious sentiments and instill a greater sense of order and safety among the slaveholding population.

The other options do not accurately reflect the direct implications of the rebellion. For instance, there was no end to slave ownership, as slavery continued to be a cornerstone of the southern economy. Similarly, while abolitionist movements gained momentum in the North, the rebellion did not directly lead to an expansion of these movements in the South, where opposition to abolition grew. Finally, legislative safety for slaves was not increased; in fact, the opposite occurred,