Originally Posted by Oldman03
Originally Posted by antlers
Slavery was the main reason that the Southern leadership wanted to secede from the Union, and they were willing to go to war over their right to secede.
That seccession was the main reason that the Northern leadership was motivated, and they were willing to go to war to prevent the South's seccession.

Why was the north trying to prevent the south's succession?

The Northern leaders most likely had some financial and political reasons for wanting to prevent Southern seccession. Lincoln was also reportedly a firm believer in 'the American experiment' and he wanted to preserve the Union at all costs. He reportedly felt like the fracturing of the Union would be detrimental...not only to the Union...but also to 'the American experiment' as a model for others.

Every day on this side of the ground is a win.