What was the purpose of the Black Codes enacted in the South after the Civil War?

The Black Codes were a series of laws enacted in the Southern United States after the Civil War with the primary purpose of restricting the freedoms of African Americans. These laws aimed to maintain white supremacy and social control over the newly freed African American population. The codes sought to limit black people's rights to own property, work in certain occupations, and move freely. By severely curtailing their liberties, the Black Codes sought to ensure that African Americans remained in a subordinate social and economic position akin to their former status as enslaved individuals.

The other options, such as granting civil rights, promoting integration, or stimulating economic growth through free labor, do not align with the historical context or intent of the Black Codes. Instead, these laws were designed to undermine the achievements of the Reconstruction era and to forge a system that would keep African Americans from enjoying the full benefits of citizenship.