Had he not been elected, there would have been no secession.
Even as it was, the Southern states left more in a mood of partying and relief, that a long and unhappy marriage was at last over, celebrating a divorce as it were. They were really in part tongue-in-cheek about hating the North; they never dreamed the bloodthirsty, bloodlusting hate that the other side harbored. Never dreamed the North had any such level of hate as to raise an army to level the South, kill or maim its men from 14 to 70, and level its houses, farms, and infrastructure... all over a difference of political opinion!
Let's face it, these Yankees were no gentlemen.
Had he not been elected, there would have been no secession.
Thieves hate it when the victim resists.
Had Lincoln not been elected, this country would be just like the Balkans today.
Walt