What is the connection among sectionalism, slavery, and states’ rights as causes of the Civil War? How did the Southern response to the 1860 election results demonstrate this connection?
The connection among sectionalism, slavery, and states' rights as causes of the Civil War can be understood as follows: sectionalism refers to the growing divide between the North and South over economic and social issues, with slavery being a central point of contention. States' rights were invoked by the South to protect their ability to maintain slavery without interference from the federal government. The Southern response to the 1860 election results, where Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, was elected, demonstrated this connection as several Southern states seceded from the Union, arguing that their states' rights were being threatened by the election's outcome.
