6.6Secession

Beginning with South Carolina in December 1860, seven Deep South states seceded before Lincoln even took office, declaring their independence to protect slavery, which their own declarations named as the central cause. In early 1861 they formed the Confederate States of America.

Lincoln denied that any state could lawfully leave the Union and refused to recognize secession, but he pledged not to attack. The crisis came at Fort Sumter, a federal fort in Charleston harbor. When Lincoln moved to resupply it, Confederate forces opened fire in April 1861. Four more states joined the Confederacy. The long argument over slavery had finally become war.