'Causes Of The American Civil War: Secession Statements Of Five Confederate States (South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi)' Summary

The book presents the secession declarations of five Confederate states, offering a window into the Southern perspective on the causes of the Civil War. Each state's declaration lays out its grievances against the Union government, emphasizing themes of states' rights and the perceived threat to Southern institutions, particularly slavery. South Carolina, the first state to secede, cites the election of Lincoln and the perceived threat to its way of life as primary motivators. Texas, deeply invested in the expansion of slavery, expresses its belief in the inherent right of self-governance. Virginia, initially hesitant, ultimately chooses secession after the outbreak of hostilities at Fort Sumter. Mississippi's declaration focuses on the issue of slavery as a cornerstone of its economy and identity. Georgia, in its lengthy statement, expresses its commitment to Southern autonomy and condemns the Union's actions as oppressive. These documents, while reflecting the pro-slavery stance of the Confederate states, shed light on the political and social tensions that led to the nation's greatest conflict.