South Carolina Secedes
1860-12-20Charleston, South Carolinahigh importance
South Carolina became the first state to leave the Union following Lincoln's election.
A convention voted unanimously for secession, citing Northern hostility to slavery. By February 1861 six more Gulf states followed; Upper South states hesitated until Fort Sumter.
Key Takeaways
1
Opened Confederate formation
2
Forced Buchanan then Lincoln administrations into constitutional crisis