Why were southerners afraid of african americans gaining the right to vote?

Southerners did not want African Americans to gain power and freedom in the South.

Explanation:

Southerners did not want African Americans to gain the right to vote because by getting rights, they will exercise power and equal with them. The right to vote for the African Americans was not seen as a good sign for the White Southerns because they believed that they were to be regulated and controlled rather than setting them free to do what other whites did.