Southern secession Origins of the American Civil War

the first published confederate imprint of secession

with emergence of republicans nation s first major sectional party mid-1850s, politics became stage on sectional tensions played out. although of west– focal point of sectional tensions– unfit cotton cultivation, southern secessionists read political fallout sign power in national politics rapidly weakening. before, slave system had been buttressed extent democratic party, increasingly seen representing more pro-southern position unfairly permitted southerners prevail in nation s territories , dominate national policy before civil war. democrats suffered significant reverse in electoral realignment of mid-1850s. 1860 critical election marked stark change in existing patterns of party loyalties among groups of voters; abraham lincoln s election watershed in balance of power of competing national , parochial interests , affiliations.

immediately after finding out election results, special south carolina convention declared union subsisting between south carolina , other states under name of united states of america hereby dissolved ; february 6 more cotton states follow (mississippi, florida, alabama, georgia, louisiana, texas), forming confederate states of america. in 1960, lipset examined secessionist vote in each southern state in 1860–61. in each state divided counties proportion of slaves, low, medium , high. found in 181 high-slavery counties, vote 72% secession. in 205 low-slavery counties, vote 37% secession , in 153 middle counties, vote secession @ 60%. both outgoing buchanan administration , incoming lincoln administration refused recognize legality of secession or legitimacy of confederacy. after lincoln called troops, 4 border states (that lacked cotton) seceded (virginia, arkansas, north carolina, tennessee). upper southern states in dilemma, wanted retain slaves afraid if joined lower southern states rebelling caught in middle of conflict, , states battle ground. staying in union upper southern states felt slave rights continue recognized union.