Northerners (the Union):
- Viewed it as illegal and unconstitutional: The majority of Northerners believed that the Southern states' secession was an unlawful act that violated the Constitution. They asserted that states did not have the right to secede from the Union unilaterally.
- Perceived a threat to national unity: Northerners felt a strong sense of national identity and considered the Union as one indivisible nation. They saw the secession of Southern states as a grave threat to the preservation of the country's unity and territorial integrity.
- Wanted to maintain federal control: The Union government, under President Abraham Lincoln, was determined to maintain its authority over the seceded states and prevent the dissolution of the United States. This led to the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861.
Southerners (the Confederacy):
- Saw it as a matter of rights and sovereignty: Southerners generally believed that states had the right to secede from the Union based on the principle of states' rights and sovereignty. They argued that the federal government had overstepped its constitutional powers, particularly regarding issues such as slavery and states' rights.
- Perceived a threat to their way of life: Many Southerners felt that the Northern states were encroaching on their culture, economy, and political institutions, especially regarding the institution of slavery. They sought to protect their interests and preserve their distinctive Southern identity by asserting their independence.
- Established the Confederate States of America: In order to formalize their secession and form a new nation, the seceded Southern states established the Confederate States of America with its own constitution, government, and military.
To summarize, Northerners believed secession was unlawful and disruptive to national unity, while Southerners considered it an exercise of their states' rights to protect their regional interests and way of life. These conflicting perspectives were at the heart of the American Civil War.