Which of the following made the fourteenth amendment necessary? a) president johnson wanted to extend equal rights to african americans. b) many southerners requested and supported civil rights legislation. c) black codes in the south restricted the rights of african americans. d) confederate states had not rejoined the union and needed a way to do so.

 C) Black Codes in the South restricted the rights of African Americans.

The 14th Amendment guaranteed rights to life, liberty and property to all citizens born in the United States -- including those who formerly were slaves in states in the South.  The amendment was ratified in 1868, following the Civil War, and was one of three amendments (XIII, XIV, XV) which were aimed at making black Americans full citizens of the USA.  

After the Civil War ended, many Southern states still tried to block full access to citizenship rights by blacks.  For instance, free public education was established in Southern states, but legislative actions barred black children from attending those schools.  Blacks were also barred from voting, serving on juries, certain types of employment opportunities, etc.  These were the sorts of things referred to as "Black Codes."

The 14th Amendment stated:  All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

C) Black Codes in the South restricted the rights of African Americans.

Explanation:

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are considered citizens, and are  guaranteed equal protection of the laws. This amendment was ratified during Reconstruction, in an effort to ensure that the rights of former slaves were protected and respected. This was particularly important due to the fact that Southern states had passed "Black Codes," which was legislation intended to limit or revert many of the freedoms and rights that former slaves had been granted.