Final answer:
The southern states seceded following the election of 1860 because Lincoln won the presidency without any southern electoral votes, and his victory raised concerns about the possible abolition of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The southern states began to secede following the election of 1860 because Abraham Lincoln won the presidency without any southern electoral votes. His victory sparked fears among southerners that he would work towards outlawing slavery. Additionally, the failure of the federal government to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act and the existence of competing personal liberty laws in northern states further fueled the secession movement.
Learn more about Causes of Southern Secession