I was thinking about the sequence of events that led to the secession, not the justification for it. Of course looking at how the Conferedates justified the secession is another valid perspective that paints a much different picture. So you're definitely right in that regard.

And yes, we're both thinking about how the states' rights that were being disrespected were northern states' rights. That's just something modern slavery apologists don't want to admit because then their side wouldn't be the plucky underdogs rising up against oppression. I'm going to edit my earlier comment to make this clearer.