[gutzmank]

For secession in 1860-61, I recommend four books: Freehling & Simpson’s SECESSION DEBATED: GEORGIA’S SHOWDOWN IN 1860, a short collection of primary documents which makes clear why Georgia seceded; the same editors’ SHOWDOWN IN VIRGINIA: THE 1861 CONVENTION AND THE FATE OF THE UNION, which shows why Virginia — after at first voting before Lincoln’s inauguration not to secede — finally voted to secede after seeing his presidency’s early weeks; Dew’s APOSTLES OF DISUNION: SOUTHERN SECESSION COMMISSIONERS AND THE CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR, which briefly gives you the general answer for the Deep South; and Crofts’ RELUCTANT CONFEDERATES, which explains why the Middle South seceded.