In a nutshell. The south seceded when it found out Lincoln would be elected - feared Slavery would be abolished. Lincoln, as an noble and honorable man, tried in vein to compromise; the south would have none of it. And yes no matter how you guys try to slice it secession was all about Slavery so dont give me any of that "states rights " BS. Lincoln put the ball in Davis court by trying, and rightly so, to bring much needed supplies to Sumpter. Davis fails the test by first firing on the Star of The West (an unarmed ship) and firing on Sumpter. This is why, my friends, over 600,000 people died - so the south could continue to live their cushy lives on plantations by the blood sweat and tears of slaves.