What was the main purpose of the Black Codes?

A: To bring an end to reconstruction

B: To preserve white supremacy

C: To return the Democratic party to power

D: Prevent blacks from leaving the south

The correct answer is B. To preserve white supremacy

They were designed to prevent African-Americans from earning money and forced them to work for small wages almost as if they were slaves. They were free but the black codes severely damaged their civil rights and treated them as lesser beings.