Which of the following was a key factor that led Southern states to secede from the Union and declare war?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Fear of losing the institution of slavery
Fear of losing the institution of slavery

The Gold Rush in California

Answer 1

The key factor that led Southern states to secede from the Union and declare war was fear of losing the institution of slavery. The South's economy and social structure were heavily dependent on slavery, and they believed that their way of life was under threat from the growing anti-slavery sentiment in the North and the election of Abraham Lincoln.