Which event is considered a catalyst for southern succession

1 answer

The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States in November 1860 is widely considered a key catalyst for Southern secession. Lincoln, a member of the Republican Party, opposed the spread of slavery into the territories and was seen as a threat to the institution of slavery, which was central to the Southern economy and way of life. His election prompted several Southern states to secede from the Union, starting with South Carolina in December 1860, followed by others in early 1861. This series of secessions ultimately led to the formation of the Confederate States of America and the onset of the Civil War.