What were slave codes primarily aimed at regarding enslaved individuals?

Slave codes were a set of laws enacted in various states to regulate the behavior of enslaved individuals and maintain the system of slavery. The primary aim of these codes was to define enslaved people as property rather than individuals with rights. By categorizing enslaved individuals as property, these codes stripped them of basic human rights and freedoms that are typically afforded to citizens.

The existence of slave codes reflects the societal and legal framework that supported slavery, creating strict limitations on the lives of enslaved people. These laws often included prohibitions against educating enslaved individuals, restrictions on movement, and severe penalties for disobedience or attempts to escape. This legal classification reinforced the idea that enslaved people could be bought, sold, and controlled as property, ensuring the continuation of the slave system while minimizing the chances of rebellion or escape.

In contrast, other options presented in the question obviously do not reflect the intent behind slave codes, as they suggest a framework of rights and freedoms that were fundamentally denied to enslaved individuals.