States' Rights: The Southern states also believed that they had the right to make their own laws and decide their own policies, without interference from the federal government. They argued the Northern states were violating the Constitution by trying to impose their will on the South, and they were determined to resist this encroachment on their sovereignty.
Economic Development: The Southern states also had a desire for economic development and industrialization. They resented the tariffs the Northern government had imposed, and they believed that they needed to diversify their economy in order to compete with the North.
Social Norms and Culture: The Southern states were also motivated by a desire to preserve their social norms and culture. They had a different way of life than the North, and they feared that Northern dominance would lead to their way of life being destroyed.