Why did Southern states secede from the Union in 1861?

Answer 1

Southern states seceded from the Union due to several reasons, 1) being the industrial revolution was creating large profits for the northern states while cotton price's were regulated by the federal government, 'Commerce Clause', which were kept at the same basic price per lb even with the industrial revolution making the demand for cotton much higher. 2) Britain was offering backing in the form of money to the south in an effort to divide the United States which would weaken the country 3) finally the election of Abraham Lincoln to president. President Lincoln was pro abolitionism (against slavery) and pro industry. The southern states disagreed with his belief's and with Britain talking up succession, which is a Constitutional right of the states. The Southern States, mostly slave states seceded.

Note. President Lincoln went against the Constitution and refused secession based on the thought that the division of the States would destroy the 'Great Experiment' (Union of the States).