Meanings of antecedent circumstances in English

Storms and winds and calms are not accidents, but brought about by antecedent circumstances.

Storms and winds and calms are not accidents, but are brought about by antecedent circumstances.

Where, one might ask, if he knew the antecedent circumstances, are Miss Hamilton's American spouse and Miss Monroe's Scottish lover?

The antecedent circumstances leading up to the crime, however, were largely conjectural, although they were pretty strongly suggested by the details of the struggle itself.

A circumstance, trifling in itself, but suggestive of speculation either as to the character or antecedent circumstances of Gentleman Waife, did not escape Vance's observation.