What influence did the theory of states rights have on the secession of southern states, including south carolina? a) it suggested that people are the basis of the state, and they should make the decisions to secede. b)it held that the rights of the states are secondary to those of the union, which created division over the plan to secede. c) it suggested that states were able to leave and rejoin the union as they saw fit, creating support for secession. d) it held that states freely joined the union and had the right to leave the union, playing a major role in secession.