Why did white Southern Democrats disenfranchise Black men?(4 points)

White Southern Democrats disenfranchised Black men primarily for the following reasons:

1. **They worried that African Americans would create Republican governments**: After the Civil War, the Republican Party was associated with the abolition of slavery and civil rights for African Americans. White Southern Democrats feared that if Black men were allowed to vote, they would align with the Republican Party, potentially leading to the establishment of governments that did not reflect white Southern interests.

2. **They feared the consequences of African Americans having political power**: The prospect of Black men gaining political power was seen as a threat by many white Southerners. They were concerned that African Americans would use their political influence to pursue policies that would undermine white supremacy and challenge the social order that had existed prior to the Civil War.

3. **They hoped African Americans would leave the South after being denied rights**: By implementing disenfranchisement measures, some white Southerners hoped to create conditions that would encourage African Americans to migrate out of the South in search of better opportunities, thus reducing the competition for political and economic power within the region.

4. **They wanted to encourage literacy among formerly enslaved African Americans**: While this statement may sound like a rationale, in practice, the literacy tests and other measures introduced to disenfranchise Black voters were often designed to suppress their voting rights, rather than genuinely promote education. The intention behind these policies was to create barriers that many Black voters could not overcome, thereby reinforcing the dominance of white Southern Democrats.

In summary, the disenfranchisement of Black men in the South was driven by a combination of political fear, racial animosity, and the desire to maintain white supremacy.