When the south Carolina seceded in 1860 they seceded because Abe Lincoln was elected president. But, is the secession of South Carolina also an example of state's rights? if so, how?
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/civil-war-overview/statesrights.html
Yes, the secession of South Carolina in 1860 can be seen as an example of states' rights. State's rights refers to the belief that individual states have the authority to make decisions for themselves and have powers independent of the federal government.
To understand how the secession of South Carolina relates to states' rights, let's break it down:
1. Background: In the 1860 presidential election, Abraham Lincoln, a Republican candidate who opposed the expansion of slavery, was elected president. This caused significant concerns among the southern states, as they felt their economic and social systems, which heavily relied on slavery, were under threat.
2. States' Rights Argument: South Carolina, being a pro-slavery state, believed that it had the right to protect and maintain its unique institution of slavery without interference from the federal government. This argument was rooted in the idea of states' rights. They viewed the election of Lincoln as a threat to their way of life and feared that the federal government might restrict or even abolish slavery, infringing upon their perceived authority to govern themselves.
3. Declaration of Secession: In response to Lincoln's election, South Carolina held a convention and on December 20, 1860, issued a declaration of secession, formally announcing its separation from the United States. This declaration mainly emphasized the preservation of states' rights, particularly their right to maintain slavery.
4. Other States' Actions: South Carolina's secession inspired other southern states to follow suit, forming the Confederate States of America. These states argued that secession was a constitutional right and a means to safeguard their perceived rights to govern themselves, including the right to protect and expand slavery.
Overall, the secession of South Carolina was driven by the belief in states' rights, with the state asserting its authority to protect its economic and social systems, particularly slavery, from potential federal interference. While the issue of slavery was at the forefront, the underlying principle of states' rights played a significant role in legitimizing their decision to secede.