Essay Sample about The secession of the Southern States

The Declaration of Independence came with various issues, which pushed the Southern States to opt for secession as they found their continued existence in the Union untenable. The notable issues, which resulted in the push for secession included the slavery institution, the States Rights, and the election of President Lincoln.

The Southern States primarily depended on agricultural production as their source of economic growth and sustainability, and the institution of slavery provided adequate manpower to work in the agricultural plantations across the different Southern States. In contrast, the industrial North had limited arable lands and depended on manufacturing as their source of economic development (Yale Law School). These differences in economic models and views on slavery created a rift between the two regions as the North States pushed for the abolition of slavery while the Southern States opposed such a move. This created antagonism, which saw the Southern States opt for secession.

The Union was founded on the set of rules, which were to protect the interests of every region and safeguard the economic stability of every individual. The State rights provided for the States to have a political say in issues touching on their economic stability. The Southern States believed that their State Rights were not guaranteed or honored, and seceding from the Union would enable them to regain such rights (Stephens).

President Lincoln was a renowned abolitionist, and his election was viewed as a blow to the slavery institution. The Southern States believed that Lincoln’s presidency was not in their best interest since his opinions and purposes were hostile to the slavery institution (Digital History). These factors coupled with a number of contextual issues prompted the different Southern States to call for a secession from the Union.