The principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence were the foundation  upon which the Constitution was written. It affirmed that  a just government derives its just power from the consent of the governed. It also asserted that when a government become tyrannical the states and people had a right to alter or abolish their government.

The American Revolution was actually a war over the right of the colonies to separate from Great Britain and the Civil War was an attempt by the southern states to peacefully secede from the Union.

The Tenth Amendment also supported the right of states to secede. It stated that any power not granted to the government of the United States and not prohibited to the states was reserved to the states and to the people. Since the right of secession was not prohibited to the states, it was a right reserved to the states and to the people.

The financial stability of the north was dependent upon the taxes generated from the southern states. While the south only represented about 30% of the population, the southern states were paying nearly 80% of the taxes.

In March of 1861 eleven of the thirty four states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. Without a declaration of war or the consent of Congress Lincoln took it upon himself to invade the south in attempt force the southern states to return to the Union.

President Lincoln did not recognize the secession of the southern states and treated them as if they were states in rebellion.  He suspended habeas corpus and declared martial law and in so doing he suspended the Constitution and became a military dictator.

If the southern states had not seceded, why were they required to be readmitted to the Union after the war had ended?

 

 

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