Which of the following best

shows how the issue of
states’ rights contributed to
the onset of the Civil War?
Many Northerners
believed that states’
rights should not
extend to slave states.
Many Southerners
believed that giving
states additional rights
would hold back
western expansion.
Many Southerners
believed the rights of
their states were
threatened by
Northern abolitionists.
Many Northerners
believed the rights of
their states were
threatened by the
election of Abraham
Lincoln.

1 answer

The statement that best shows how the issue of states' rights contributed to the onset of the Civil War is:

Many Southerners believed the rights of their states were threatened by Northern abolitionists.

This statement highlights the perception in the South that Northern abolitionists were infringing upon their states' rights, particularly the right to maintain the institution of slavery. This belief fueled tensions between the North and South and was a significant factor leading to the secession of Southern states and the subsequent Civil War. The South's commitment to states' rights was often framed in the context of defending slavery, which they viewed as a fundamental aspect of their economic and social system.