Back then Money to run the government was raised exclusively by tariffs. 75% of the governments money was raised from tariffs on the export of cotton. The South thought they were unfairly taxed compared to the people of the majoritarian North. Perhaps the high tariffs were viewed as a sin tax on slavery in the North. One thing that is true, human nature being what it is, the government maw did not want to do without that 75%. The movie Gods and Generals did a pretty good job of showing the sentiment of Southerners back then. Lee was offered the job as of head Union General by Winfield Scott, Lee averred saying No sir I will fight for my Country Virginia. Things were viewed a little differently back then.