Instead of after-the-fact musings on the role of geography, it would be smart to read what the Confederate states themselves said their reasons were for secedin

Instead of after-the-fact musings on the role of geography, it would be smart to read what the Confederate states themselves said their reasons were for seceding. For instance, Mississippi [1]. The first two sentences of the Mississippi secession document read: "In the momentous step which our State has taken of dissolving its connection with the government of which we so long formed a part, it is but just that we should declare the prominent reasons which have induced our course. Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery-- the greatest material interest of the world." [1] http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_missec.asp http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_missec.asp