Secession Crisis and Formation of the Confederacy (November 1860–February 1861)

1. Lincoln elected, triggering secession calls

   Nov 6, 1860Labels: Abraham Lincoln, Republican Party

   • Britannica
   • NPS MS

2. South Carolina adopts Ordinance of Secession

   Dec 20, 1860Labels: South Carolina, Ordinance of

   • Shapell
   • HISTORY

3. Anderson shifts garrison to Fort Sumter

   Dec 26, 1860Labels: Robert Anderson, Fort Sumter

   • Tulane Sumter
   • Fort Sumter

4. Mississippi secedes from the United States

   Jan 9, 1861Labels: Mississippi, State Convention

   • NPS MS
   • Oxford MS

5. U.S. supply ship fired on at Charleston

   Jan 9, 1861Labels: Star of, Charleston Harbor

   • Star West
   • Fort Sumter

6. Florida secedes after convention vote

   Jan 10, 1861Labels: Florida, Ordinance of

   • LOC Florida
   • NPS Florida

7. Alabama votes to secede from the Union

   Jan 11, 1861Labels: Alabama, Secession Convention

   • Alabama
   • Secession list

8. Georgia passes its secession ordinance

   Jan 19, 1861Labels: Georgia, Ordinance of

   • DL Georgia
   • GHS TPS

9. Louisiana secedes and targets federal assets

   Jan 26, 1861Labels: Louisiana, New Orleans

   • Louisiana
   • HISTORY

10. Texas convention adopts secession ordinance

    Feb 1, 1861Labels: Texas, Declaration of

    • TX Library
    • TX Referendum

11. Montgomery Convention opens to form new government

    Feb 4, 1861Labels: Montgomery Convention, Confederate Delegates

    • HISTORY
    • Peace Conf

12. Provisional Confederate constitution adopted

    Feb 8, 1861Labels: Provisional Constitution, Confederate States

    • Prov Const
    • HISTORY

13. Jefferson Davis elected Confederate provisional president

    Feb 9, 1861Labels: Jefferson Davis, Provisional President

    • Davis Papers
    • HISTORY

14. Confederate government inaugurated in Montgomery

    Feb 18, 1861Labels: Confederate Government, Montgomery Inauguration

    • Davis Papers
    • Gilder Lehrman