[Ditto]

Thanks. There are a few points I could disagree with on details, but in general, I agree. For the South, (or at least the small band of men who called all the shots) it was all about protecting and expanding their profits from slavery.

As to the overall point of secession being a "Last Resort", there was not a pressing emergency or immediate threat to the profits of slavery and the general complaints listed were no different in 1860-61 than they had been in 1858-59.

An interesting point to ponder is why the seven Cotton States were in such a hurry to push through secession that they didn't even want to wait for some overt act by Lincoln. The man hadn't even taken office yet.

[TexConfederate1861]

I wonder the same thing, but I think the anger had been building since the 1830's, and the South was just ready to try something different.