What were 'black codes' intended to achieve in the Southern states after the Civil War?

The correct answer is focused on how 'black codes' were primarily designed to uphold the pre-war social and economic structures in the Southern states following the Civil War. These laws were enacted to control the newly freed African American population and to ensure that white supremacy was maintained in various spheres, including labor and social interactions.

The 'black codes' restricted the rights of freedmen, limiting their freedom of movement, employment opportunities, and even the ability to participate fully in society. By enforcing a system that bound African Americans to low-wage labor and effectively reinstated a form of servitude, these codes aimed to perpetuate the Southern way of life and the economic advantages that the region had historically derived from slavery.

While the other options touch on various aspects of post-war America, they do not capture the primary intention of black codes, which was to maintain the traditional power dynamics and social order that had existed before the Civil War. These laws clearly reflect the South's desire to resist the changes brought about by emancipation and reconstruction efforts.