Question

When it comes to the letters of secession that you read, what was the focus of the slave states when they seceded from the union? Was the focus indeed an issue of states’ rights, as many in the former slave states declare, or was it purely about slavery? Do not base your answer on the claim, look to see if there is anything that might undermine the statements being made.

A. Primarily states’ rights.
B. Solely about slavery.
C. A combination of both.
D. Unspecified reasons.

Answer 1

The slave states' focus when they seceded from the Union was solely about slavery. Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Step-by-step explanation:

The focus of the slave states when they seceded from the Union was B) Solely about slavery. While secessionists in the slave states did argue for states' rights, their main concern was the preservation of slavery. The declarations of secession clearly state that the protection of slavery, as an institution, was the primary motivation for leaving the Union.

This is supported by statements made by leaders of the Confederacy and the explicit mention of slavery in the secession documents.