The document discusses the growing divisions between the North and South leading up to the Civil War, including differences in their economies and views on states' rights and slavery. It focuses on events in Texas, including Sam Houston warning Texans that the North would go to great lengths to preserve the Union. Despite Houston's efforts to delay it, the Texas Secession Convention voted to join the Confederacy in 1861. Houston was then removed as governor for refusing to pledge allegiance to the Confederacy.