It was mostly about states' rights, and trying to keep the economies propped up, which were supported by cotton and textiles... which were supported by slavery.

As soon as Lincoln was elected, without being on any ballots in the south, they knew what was coming (abolition of slavery), and the southern states attempted to secede.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariff_of_Abominations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Compromise

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nullification_Crisis