Which of the following terms best describes the legal status of enslaved people as defined by slave codes?

The legal status of enslaved people as established by slave codes is best described as "property." Slave codes were laws that defined the status of enslaved individuals and the rights of their owners. These codes treated enslaved people as property, meaning they could be bought, sold, and owned by others. This classification denied them basic human rights and autonomy, reinforcing the institution of slavery throughout the United States. Understanding this term is crucial as it highlights the dehumanization of enslaved individuals and the economic interests that underpinned slavery.