Which event is considered a catalyst for southern secession

Answer 1

The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States in November 1860 is widely considered a key catalyst for southern secession. Lincoln was a member of the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories. Many southern states viewed his election as a direct threat to the institution of slavery and, subsequently, to their way of life. Following his election, several southern states initiated the process of secession from the Union, beginning with South Carolina in December 1860. This act ultimately led to the formation of the Confederate States of America and the onset of the Civil War.