The main reasons for the secession of the Southern from the Union were states' rights, unfair taxation and slavery. In general, the states that seceded felt that the laws of the Union were unfair.Continue Reading
Abolitionist groups in the North succeeded in swaying popular opinion in favor of abolishing slavery, and many Northern states outlawed the practice. Business interests in the South, particularly agriculture, remained in favor of slavery because it was advantageous to the economy of the region. The Southern states were concerned about legal provisions that outlawed slavery in newly formed states admitted into the Union.