What drives a state to break away from its own country? Why would brothers turn against brothers, fighting for a cause that would rip the nation apart? The Secession in the Civil War was a moment of profound turmoil, one that changed the course of American history forever. But what exactly is secession, and how did it come about in the Civil War? We'll break it all down for you, from the order of secession to the underlying reasons that pushed them to make this move. Whether you're a Civil War expert or just curious about the topic, we invite you to join us on a journey through one of the most defining moments of US history.
Definition of Secession in the Civil War
Before examining Southern secession, it is important we fully grasp the definition of Secession in the Civil War. The term “secession” means to formally withdraw from a federation (or body); most often a political state. In the context of Southern secession, it meant that 11 states would formally declare their separation from the union of the United States in 1860.
The idea of “secession” is closely tied to Whig thought, meaning that people had the right to revolution against an oppressive government. In the 1770s, John Locke, Algernon Sydney, and the British Commonwealth argued over whether this applied to the American colonies separating from Great Britain. This was argued well into the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783.
Whigs were a group of Americans in support of American independence from Great Britain. Their politics focussed on constitutional monarchism and parliamentary systems rather than absolute monarchy.
Secession in the Civil War Summary
Since 1819, tensions between the North and South had only grown regarding the topics of slavery, tariffs, and states’ rights. The South had threatened to leave multiple times since that year, as the cultures, ideologies, and politics between the two territories were vastly different. On one hand, the North firmly believed in
the idea of “self-determination” and the ability to change one’s social standing. On the other hand, the South believed in maintaining their social standings; with their hierarchy being determined by the institution of slavery.
Fig. 1 James Madison 1816
According to James Madison (4th US President, 1809-1817), a Federal Republic such as the United States naturally brought forth challenges in regards to central control. To avoid secession in the country’s future, he proposed the idea that states would not be allowed to secede after formally ratifying the Constitution within their territory. However, this was open to change, as varying interpretations and circumstances could be claimed by the states.
As the US began to modernize in the 1850s, industrial development and the idea of free labor were beginning to encourage more Abolitionist ideologies in the North. This put the South‘s cotton culture and slave labor under pressure when it came to the United States and European reformation activity. Secession was once again brought up by the South when Western territorial arguments began after the Mexican War of 1848.
Abolitionism refers to someone (an Abolitionist) who believes in the ending of a practice or institution, most especially capital punishment, or in this context, the institution of slavery.
After the Mexican War of 1848, America had new territories that needed to be organized. The American people began to viciously argue with each other about whether or not slavery should be permitted in these new areas. Tensions between the opposing sides led to events such as Bleeding Kansas and the passing of the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854.
The final nail in the coffin, which would set in stone the idea of secession for the Southern states, was the election of a Republican President. Abraham Lincoln’s name was not even printed on 10 state ballots in the South, as his running was so deeply frowned upon. Although Southern states had been officially planning their leave since 1858, this gave them the final push they needed to peruse that decision.
As an attempt to avoid the South's secession, President Lincoln offered an additional amendment to the slave states; it would guarantee the South the right to the enslavement of African people in whatever territories it was already legally accepted. This was of course under the condition that the South remained a part of the Union. Despite this offer, John C. Calhoun, the leading spokesman for the Southern slave states, claimed that they would still be “under assault” from the industrializing North and the new Republican President.
Fig. 2 Abraham Lincoln 1863 
Fig. 3 John C. Calhoun circa 1845
Upon Abraham Lincoln’s election and inauguration, Southern states were split into 3 groups. The first was in favor of immediate secession, the second was in favor of delaying secession until they had viewed the policies of the new administration, and the third and final group believed that they could bargain with the new administration to get what they wanted. Despite their differences, one thing that united them was the Doctrine of Secession; each group was willing to separate from the Union if their terms were not met.
“The Doctrine of Secession” stated that the states could withdraw from the Union if their rights were infringed upon by the Federal Government, and not immediately reversed upon the request of said state.
Reasons for Southern Secession in the Civil War
There were three main reasons for Southern Secession in the Civil War:
- The South wanted to keep their slaves and were beginning to fear that reformation in the United States and Europe would take them away.
- The South feared race-mixing, not only regarding enslaved African people but also concerning the influx of migrant workers from multiple other countries.
- The South believed that the North was beginning to overstep its boundaries, most especially with the nomination of a Republican Presidential candidate.
Order of Secession in the Civil War
On December 20th of 1860, South Carolina representatives met to discuss their formal secession from the Union. By the beginning of February 1861, 5 more states had also decided upon their secession; Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. These states formed “The Confederate States of America” in what is known as "Secession Winter".
North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia also later joined this new government and moved its capital to Richmond, Virginia. Interestingly, 50 counties of Western Virginia remained loyal to the Union, which led to the eventual separation of Virginia and West Virginia. The remaining states that bordered the 36’30 line, such as Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri, also stayed loyal to the Union despite contributing volunteers to the Confederacy.
Fig. 4 Free and Slave States in the period leading to the American Civil War
Here is the order of secession in the Civil War:
- South Carolina, December 20th, 1860
- Mississippi, January 9th, 1861
- Florida, January 10th, 1861
- Alabama, January 11th, 1861
- Georgia, January 19th, 1861
- Louisiana, January 26th, 1861
- Texas, February 1st, 1861
- Virginia, April 17th, 1861
- Arkansas, May 6th, 1861
- North Carolina, May 20th, 1861
- Tennessee, June 8th, 1861
The Civil War Begins
Beginning in Charleston, South Carolina’s harbor at Fort Sumter in 1861, the Civil War between the North and the South would last until 1865. The South would put up a hard fight for the protection of their secession but to no avail. The Confederate States lost the war and were forced to remain a part of the Union.
Over the four years of war, Abraham Lincoln slowly chipped away at the slavery the South held onto so strongly. In 1861, Lincoln told any Confederate sympathizers that if they were caught, their land would be taken from them, and every enslaved person would be free.
- In 1862, Congress passed the Militia Act; this allowed black men to serve in the US military as laborers
- In 1863, the “Emancipation Proclamation" was finally signed by Lincoln; if the Confederate states did not decide to re-join the Union within the next 100 days, all of their slaves would be declared “forever free”. Though at the time this did very little for enslaved people, it caused a shift in the war; it was no longer just about the preservation of the Union, it was also about abolishing slavery
Fig. 5 Man reading a newspaper with headline 'Presidential Proclamation Slavery'
Upon winning the war in 1865, Lincoln went on to add the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which freed all slaves by abolishing the institution of slavery completely. Naturally, Confederate sympathizers were outraged by this. Just two months after the passing of the Proclamation, Lincoln was assassinated by Confederate sympathizer, John Wilkes Booth.
Secession in the Civil War - Key Takeaways
- The South wanted to secede from the Union because they felt that their way of life was being threatened by the North. The North and the South had held vastly different political views, ideologies, and cultures for years.
- When the Southern states officially decided to secede, Lincoln‘s first priority was the preservation of the Union; his second priority would later become the abolition of slavery. This means that the cause of the Civil War was secession, not slavery.
- After the war was won by the Union, Lincoln abolished slavery completely with the 13th amendment. In retaliation to the amendment and Southern loss, Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln in 1865.
Explanations 
Exams 
Magazine 
