The Secession of Southern States During the U.S. Civil War: Myths and Realities
During the U.S. Civil War, several southern states attempted to secede, a move that had far-reaching consequences for American history. Many misconceptions surround this period, particularly regarding the physical and political aspects of secession. Let's delve into the lore and facts.
What Did 'Secession' Mean?
When southern states seceded during the Civil War, it meant they withdrew from the Union, the political and constitutional framework established by the United States Constitution. Secession was not a physical relocation but a political action, involving the formation of a new political entity.
The Confederate States of America
The seceding states did form a new political entity called the Confederate States of America. This entity was led by President Jefferson Davis and declared its independence as a nation.
However, it's crucial to note that the Union did not recognize this as a legitimate act. The Confederate States of America (CSA) were considered by the United States to be in a state of rebellion against the federal government.
Myths and Realities of Secession
Myth: Southern States Physically Left the Union
It's a common misconception that seceding states physically left the country or moved to a different territory. In reality, states cannot move. The idea of southern states escaping to a different location is simply a myth.
Secession was a political choice. The states did not leave a specific location; they simply withdrew from the Union and declared their own political identity as the Confederate States of America.
Myth: The Arts of Confederation and Perpetual Union
The full title of the original document was 'Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union', not just the simpler 'Articles of Confederation'. The Constitution was intended to create and strengthen a more perfect union among the states, not just a confederation with a perpetual union title.
The Unconstitutional and Illegal Nature of Secession
The attempt to secede was not legally recognized. Eleven southern states formally declared their secession and joined the Confederate States of America. Their primary motivation was the preservation and expansion of slavery.
Secession was unconstitutional and illegal under the United States Constitution. The states sought to maintain their right to slavery and were willing to leave the Union to preserve this institution.
Formation of the Confederate States of America
The seceding states formed a new political entity called the Confederate States of America, but this new entity was not internationally recognized as a sovereign nation. They merely withdrew from the Union and declared their own sovereignty.
States like South Carolina, Alabama, and others declared their secession and founded the Confederate States of America but maintained that they were self-governing. They sought independence from both Lincoln and the Union.
The Motivation Behind Secession
The primary motivation for secession was to preserve and expand slavery. The southern states believed that if Abraham Lincoln was elected, he would attempt to abolish or limit the practice of slavery, which was pivotal to their economic and social structures.
Jefferson Davis and other Confederate leaders believed that the preservation of slavery was their right and that secession was necessary to protect this right. They did not want to be under the control of a federal government that might end slavery.
Facts vs. Fiction
The Southern states did not go anywhere physically. They did not move to a new territory. Secession was a political act that resulted in the formation of a new political entity, the Confederate States of America.
The idea of states leaving the country or moving to a new territory is a misconception. Secession involved the states withdrawing from the Union and declaring themselves a separate entity, but not physically relocating.
Conclusion
The Civil War was a complex and deeply troubling period in American history. Understanding the true nature of secession, including its legal and political implications, is crucial to grasping the events and consequences of this terrible conflict. The southern states did not leave a specific location but rather their own political and social structures.