What primary reason did seceding states cite for their decision to leave the Union in 1861?

Seceding states primarily cited their desire to maintain agricultural dominance as the key reason for leaving the Union in 1861. This motivation was closely linked to the Southern economy, which was heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly cotton production, and depended on slave labor. Southern leaders were concerned that any changes to the status of slavery, driven by the growing abolitionist sentiment in the North, would threaten their economic stability and their way of life. The preservation of slavery was not just a social or moral issue but a critical economic concern, as many Southern states believed that without slavery, their agricultural system would be jeopardized.

While the industrial economy of the North significantly differed from the agricultural focus of the South, it was not the primary reason for secession. The abolition movement also played a crucial role in the tensions leading up to the Civil War, but it was the fear of losing agricultural dominance that drove the decision for secession as it directly threatened the Southern economy and societal structure. The desire for increased federal control was a concern but was largely framed within the context of maintaining state sovereignty over issues such as slavery and land use, rather than a call for broader federal governance.