Question

1. why did secessionists believe they had the constitutional right to secede?

a. the bill of rights said states can do whatever they want.
b. the 10th amendment says the power of the national government is limited, and the states hold most of the powers of government.
c. the 9th amendment says that states can leave the union, for any reason.
d. states must have a convention to vote on secession.

Explanation:

The 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Secessionists interpreted this as giving states significant sovereignty, including the right to secede. The Bill of Rights (A) does not state states can do whatever they want. The 9th Amendment (C) is about unenumerated rights of the people, not secession. Option D is about a process, not a Constitutional right basis.

Answer:

B. The 10th Amendment says the power of the national government is limited, and the states hold most of the powers of government.