What is southern view of the US Constitution?

The Southern view of the U.S. Constitution historically emphasized states' rights and the belief that states should have the authority to govern themselves independently of federal mandates. Many in the South interpreted the Constitution as a compact among sovereign states, which justified their resistance to federal authority, especially on issues like slavery and later civil rights. This perspective contributed to the tensions leading up to the Civil War and remains a point of contention in discussions about federalism and states' rights today.