The Secession of the Southern States: When and How It Happened
Secession was a critical and convoluted process in American history, particularly for the Southern states as they left the Union to form the Confederacy during the Civil War era. This article delves into the specific timeline of secession and clarifies the process and timeline of their departure from the United States.
Timeline of Secession
The secession of the Southern states from the United States was not a sudden decision but a lengthy and complex period. The process began with the election of Abraham Lincoln as President in November 1860 and culminated in the formation of the Confederate States of America in February 1861.
December 1860: South Carolina
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860. This was preceded by a series of events that fueled the Southern states' discontent with the Union, including the rise of abolitionist movements and the increasing tensions over slavery.
January 1861: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana
Following South Carolina, five more states joined the exodus from the Union in January 1861:
Mississippi
Florida
Alabama
Georgia
Louisiana
These states declared their secession via state conventions, leading to the formation of the Confederate States of America (CSA).
February 1861: Texas
On February 1, 1861, the state of Texas officially seceded. This brought the total number of seceding states to seven, which then formed the Confederate States of America on February 8, 1861. The election of Abraham Lincoln further solidified the Southern states' desire to leave the Union, as they believed he would take actions that threatened their way of life.
April-June 1861: Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee
Additional states seceded in April and June 1861:
Virginia
Arkansas
North Carolina
Tennessee
These states added to the fledgling Confederacy, increasing its territory and military capabilities.
Missouri and Kentucky: Unofficial Members
It is worth noting that Missouri and Kentucky, although slave states, did not officially secede from the Union. Instead, they maintained representatives in the Confederate Congress, though their allegiance to the Confederacy was often tenuous and subject to local pressures and loyalties.
Union Star Constellations: 1861-1864
Throughout the Civil War, the Union flag bore a changing number of stars, reflecting the states that joined or left the Union during this period. The Union flag initially had 33 stars, one for each state.
Kansas joined the Union in 1861, adding the 34th star.
West Virginia, a state created from portions of Virginia, joined in 1863, adding the 35th star.
Nevada joined the Union in 1864, but the 36th star was not added until after the Civil War.
This meant that the Union flag depicted 33, 34, or 35 stars during the conflict.
Secession vs. Legal Status
It is important to understand that secession was a political process, not a legal one. The Southern states declared their secession through state conventions, but they never signed a treaty or formal agreement that legally separated them from the Union. The Civil War itself was the ultimate test of this legality, with the Union prevailing and nullifying the secession.
Conclusion
The secession of the Southern states was a pivotal moment in American history, signaling the Civil War and the enduring tension over states' rights and the future of the Union. The timeline and events leading up to and following secession provide important insights into the complex and often contentious process of state leaving the Union.