Why did so many white southerners fear the freeing of African Americans slaves?

Many white Southerners feared the freeing of African American slaves due to concerns about economic disruption, as the Southern economy relied heavily on slave labor for agriculture, particularly in cotton production. They also worried about potential social upheaval, including violence or retaliation from freed slaves who might seek revenge for their past mistreatment. Additionally, there was a deep-seated belief in white supremacy and the fear that emancipation would challenge their racial hierarchy and social order.