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Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Even though Lincoln said in his inaugural address that he would not to interfere with slavery where it already existed, he campaigned on the platform that all future states would be free states (free soil). This was a major threat to the south both economically and politically and his election was very upsetting to the south. Some were looking for an excuse to leave the Union, however, and in Charleston, South Carolina, the first state to secede, Lincoln's victory was celebrated. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
Shortly after Lincoln was elected as president and before he was even sworn in, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. They did this by sending a letter to the House of Representatives saying that the state of South Carolina was resuming the power they had before delegated to the Federal Government of the United States. Here is a picture of the South Carolina delegates to the House of Representatives that was published in a news paper to announce their secession. -
The Confederate States of America is Formed
Representatives from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana met in Montgomery, Alabama and decided to form the Confederate States of America. They were joined by Texas, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia to make the thirteen Confederate States. By February 22nd, they had elected Jefferson Davis as president and Alexander H. Stephens as vice president both to a six year term. -
Abraham Lincoln is Sworn in as President
Before Lincoln was even sworn in as president, seven states had left the Union (the original six who met to form the Confederate States of America and Texas which joined in March before the inauguration). He was the sixteenth president of the United States. -
The Confederates Fire on Fort Sumter
This was the first attack of the Civil War and most people regard it as the beginning of the war. The Confederates fired at 4:30am with fifty cannons. They bombarded the fort for thirty-three hours before it surrendered.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9p7V7GrHjE]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSmuA6R9vXQ] -
Abraham Lincoln Issues a Proclamation
In this proclamation, Lincoln called for forces from the state militia and a total of 75,000 men to combat the rebellion. He also called for a special session of Congress. -
Tennessee Secedes from the Union
Tennessee was the last state to join the Confederacy. It was right on the border between the Confederate and Union states and thus is often referred to as a border state. Even though west and middle Tennessee strongly supported the Confederacy, east Tennessee continued to support the Union even after the state formally joined the Confederacy.
