Pro-slavery elements in the South viewed his election as a threat to slavery, and Southern states began seceding from the nation.
pɹˈoʊslˈeɪvɚɹi ˈɛlɪmənts ɪnðə sˈaʊθ vjˈuːd hɪz ᵻlˈɛkʃən æz ɐ θɹˈɛt tə slˈeɪvɚɹi, ænd sˈʌðɚn stˈeɪts bɪɡˈæn sɛsˈiːdɪŋ fɹʌmðə nˈeɪʃən.