Final answer:
The factors that led to the decision of the southern states to secede from the Union and form the Confederate States of America were the election of Abraham Lincoln, the concept of states' rights, and the promotion of white supremacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decision of the southern states to secede from the Union and form the Confederate States of America was influenced by several factors. One major factor was the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, as his victory demonstrated the political power of the North and threatened the institution of slavery, which was central to the Southern economy and way of life. Southerners believed that Lincoln's presidency would lead to the erosion of their states' rights and the federal government's interference with their ability to own and control slaves.
Additionally, Southern states argued for the concept of states' rights, asserting that the federal government should not infringe on their right to own property, including slaves, and take that property anywhere within the country. They saw secession as a means to protect their economic and social systems, as well as to defend the principles of liberty that their ancestors had fought for during the American Revolution.
Furthermore, white supremacy was used as a persuasive tool to garner support for secession, as proponents of secession argued that slavery made all white people, even those who were poor, superior to black people. By appealing to racial hierarchy and white southern identity, secessionists aimed to unite different social classes and solidify support for secession.