How did white southerners try to stop the changes in the south during reconstruction

1) the southernors started the KKK, which was a way for them to intimidate the African Americans into doing what they say
2) They had literacy tests, & sometimes had to pay to be able to vote or do other things. This excluded most of the african americans (as few knew how to read because of how they were slaves, & most were poor) & some of the poorer white folks. 
3) They tried to make it hard so that the government will stop trying to help African Americans gain equal rights (which kind of succeeded) & they made life hard for the African Americans that stayed towards the south.

hope this helps

Yes it has . that is why fake news is such an issue