Question

What event led to South Carolina's secession from the Union?

Answer 1

South Carolina's secession from the Union was primarily prompted by the election of Abraham Lincoln as President in November 1860. Lincoln, a member of the anti-slavery Republican Party, was seen by many in the Southern states as a threat to the institution of slavery, which was integral to their economy and social order. Following his election, South Carolina convened a convention and on December 20, 1860, officially declared its secession from the Union. This act of secession was based on the belief that states had the right to withdraw from the Union in response to perceived threats to their rights and way of life. South Carolina's secession set off a chain reaction, leading other Southern states to follow suit and ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.