Question

Which event in 1861 led to the immediate secession of several southern states from the Union?



Choose the best answer from the options below:
A The election of President Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the spread of slavery
B The Dred Scott decision that extended slavery into free states
C The Compromise of 1850 that made California a free state but stipulated that all escaped slaves must be returned to their masters
D The publication of the abolitionist newspaper the Liberator which condemned slavery in the southern states

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The best answer is:

A. The election of President Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the spread of slavery.

Lincoln's election in 1860 was viewed by many in the South as a direct threat to the institution of slavery, leading to the secession of several southern states from the Union in 1861.