* Preservation of the Union: The Northern states were determined to preserve the United States of America as a single nation. They believed that secession was illegal and that the Southern states had no right to leave the Union.
* Abolition of slavery: Many Northerners were opposed to slavery and believed that it should be abolished. They argued that slavery was morally wrong and that it violated the principles of democracy and equality.
* Economic interests: The Northern states had a strong industrial economy and they were concerned that secession would disrupt their economic ties with the Southern states. They also feared that the Southern states would form an alliance with Britain or France, which would threaten the Northern economy.
The South
* States' rights: The Southern states believed that they had the right to secede from the Union. They argued that the federal government had overstepped its authority and that the Southern states were no longer bound by the Constitution.
* Protection of slavery: The Southern states were determined to protect slavery. They believed that slavery was essential to their economy and way of life.
* Fear of Northern domination: The Southern states feared that the Northern states would eventually dominate the Union and that their interests would be ignored. They also feared that the Northern states would eventually abolish slavery, which would devastate their economy.