1. Southern Politicians: Many politicians in the southern states believed that the federal government was infringing on their states' rights and the institution of slavery. They advocated for secession as a way to protect their interests and maintain their way of life.
2. Slave Owners: The plantation owners and slaveholders in the southern states saw secession as a way to preserve the institution of slavery. They feared that the growing anti-slavery sentiment in the North would eventually lead to the abolition of slavery, which would threaten their economic and social status.
3. States' Rights Advocates: Some southerners believed that the federal government had overstepped its constitutional authority by interfering in state matters. They argued that states had the right to decide their own internal affairs, including the issue of slavery.
4. Nativist and Anti-Immigrant Sentiments: Many southerners held nativist and anti-immigrant views, fearing the growing influence of immigrants from Europe and the North. They believed that secession would allow them to control immigration and protect their cultural and social traditions.
It's important to note that not all southerners supported secession. There were Unionist factions in the southern states that remained loyal to the United States and opposed the secessionist movement.