The statement "loved their state more than their country" refers to the concept of **states' rights** during the American Civil War. This concept was rooted in the belief that individual states should have the right to make their own decisions and govern themselves, even if it conflicted with the federal government.
1. **States' Rights**: Some southerners believed that their loyalty belonged first to their individual states rather than to the United States as a whole. They felt that states should have the power to decide important issues like slavery, trade, and taxation without interference from the federal government.
2. **Secession**: The idea of states' rights led to the secession of Southern states from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America. These states believed that they had the right to leave the Union and govern themselves independently.
3. **Civil War Motivations**: For many southerners who fought in the Civil War, their primary motivation was to defend their state's right to govern itself, even if it meant going against the federal government. This loyalty to their state above the nation was a significant driving force behind their decision to fight.
In summary, the statement reflects the belief in states' rights and the idea that some individuals valued their state's autonomy and independence more than the unity of the entire country. This concept played a crucial role in shaping the events leading up to and during the American Civil War.
