I have often found that the current of events in history often follow a path of unintended consequences. No one can foresee the future. And because of that, As I have said before, I try to study history as a series of actions and reactions, or cause and effects.

South Carolina may have only intended their secession to only make a token statement of opposition, simular to their 1832 threaten secession, that got out of hand. That is not important in my opinion. What caused it, and HOW the situation got out of hand IS.

Basically the events of 1861 at Charleston followed the course of events of 1832. But the reactions were different on the parts of the bystanders. Where in 1832 the other southern states did not support the actions of South Carolina, in 1861 those same southern states saw things differently (they saw a threat) and seceded also.

Once the die was cast what could they do? There were many oppertunities in the form of peace delegations that attempted to calm the situation down but these failed because one side (lincoln) refused these overtures and persisted in forcing the issue.