The high tariff rate New England demanded be imposed on the South in 1859 was what we today call “Corporate Welfare”. 

The fishing industry in New England was a recipient.   

The South was agricultural products had to be imported. 

85% of the cost of operating the Federal Government came from the South from tariff money.

Most from just 4 Southern states Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

  80 to 90 % of that tax money was kept and being spent in the North.     After the War of 1812 the South agreed to a 10% tariff to help stimulate manufacturing in America. By 1820 the “era of good feelings” was over. In 1828-1832, the 40% tariff the North tried to pass, caused South Carolina to nearly secede and it had nothing to do with slavery. It was known as “The Tariff of Abomination” in the South. A compromise was made and a lower rate passed.     In 1859 the Morrill Tariff Tax of 47-51% was upcoming and the South did not have the political power to stop it. Lincoln was owned by the New England industrialists and politicians. He had agreed to pass it and he did.

    The South was to be treated as an agricultural colony and bled dry almost as abject as that of the Roman provinces 2000 years ago by their proconsuls.      Before Ft. Sumter Lincoln met with several Southern pro-Union  men. When asked why not let the South go in peace his answer was that he could not afford to lose his tariff.  Slavery was never mentioned.