Final answer:
Sectionalism, states' rights, and slavery all played significant roles in causing Southern secession and the Civil War. Slavery was the primary cause of the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The issues of sectionalism, states' rights, and slavery all played significant roles in causing Southern secession and the Civil War. Sectionalism refers to the divisions between the North and the South based on economic, cultural, and political differences. The North relied on industry and had a more diverse economy, while the South's economy was heavily dependent on agriculture, specifically the institution of slavery. This economic disparity fueled tensions between the regions.
States' rights was another major issue, with the Southern states arguing for greater autonomy and the ability to govern themselves without interference from the federal government. They believed that the federal government should not have the power to regulate or abolish slavery, and that the states should have the right to decide their own laws.
However, it is widely acknowledged by historians that slavery was the primary cause of the Civil War. Slavery was deeply entrenched in the Southern economy and society, and the election of Abraham Lincoln, who was opposed to the expansion of slavery, was seen as a threat to their way of life. The secession of the Southern states was driven by their desire to protect and preserve the institution of slavery.