- States' rights: The Southern states believed in states' rights, and they defended their right to own slaves. They feared that if the Union won, the federal government would abolish slavery.
- Economic reasons: The Southern economy was based on agriculture and slavery, and the Southern states feared that the federal government would interfere with their economic interests.
- Cultural differences: The Southern states had a distinct culture from the Northern states, and they feared that their way of life would be lost if the Union won.
- Military unpreparedness: The Southern states were not as prepared for war as the Northern states, and they knew that they would be fighting a defensive war.