What was the primary legal status of enslaved individuals under slave codes?

Enslaved individuals were considered property under slave codes, which established a legal framework for the institution of slavery. This designation meant that enslaved people had no rights as individuals and their status was akin to that of a piece of owned property. Slave codes articulated that enslaved persons could be bought, sold, traded, and inherited, much like physical goods. This legal classification denied them autonomy and subjected them to the control and authority of their owners, highlighting the dehumanization inherent in the institution of slavery.

Other options, such as being viewed as free citizens or granted legal personhood, contradict the very nature of slave codes, which were designed to maintain the system of slavery. The notion that they were considered minors under guardianship does not accurately reflect the harsh realities of their situation, as it implies some level of protection or care that was not afforded to enslaved people. Recognizing enslaved individuals solely as property underscores the discriminatory legal practices that enforced and sustained slavery.