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? (4 points)
Sectionalism, slavery, and states' rights were all interconnected causes of the Civil War. Sectionalism refers to the division between the North and the South over various economic, social, and political issues, with slavery being a key factor driving this divide. The South relied heavily on slavery for its economy, while the North increasingly viewed slavery as immoral and sought to abolish it.
States' rights played a role in this division as well, with Southern states arguing for the right to determine their own laws and policies, including the ability to maintain slavery. As tensions between the North and South escalated, the question of states' rights became intertwined with the issue of slavery.
The Southern response to the 1860 election results, which saw Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, elected as president, demonstrated this connection. Southern states viewed Lincoln's election as a threat to their way of life and their ability to maintain slavery. In response, several Southern states seceded from the Union, citing states' rights as their justification. This ultimately led to the Civil War, as the North and South were unable to reconcile their differences over slavery, sectionalism, and states' rights.