I have to agree in principal with Mr Meeks and Mr Johnson. Slavery was the underlying cause, but the Southern States leaving the Union was the trigger. I believe the Constitution gives that right to the States,but with the victory by the North, States Rights as they were viewed at that time were doomed. But then again, I am not a Constitution Scholor. I blieve that the South should have been allowed to leave. And I think if that had happened they would have been forced to give up slavery because of International pressure to do so. Remember, slavery was on its way out, Britain being the leader in that cause.It would have taken time though. But, the changes that would have occured in history because of the split............who knows. Its possible that the CSA may have come back to the Union. That there may have been some sort of reconciliation over time. But think of the lives that would have been saved! BTW, what does this have to do with CM?