Civil War

Vocabulary Amendment – a change made to a law Federalism – power is distributed between a national government and the states Freedmen – a person who has been freed from slavery. Martial Law – rule by an army instead of civil authorities. Secede – to withdraw, in this case, from the U.S. Sectionalism – excessive devotion to local interests and customs to a region of a nation. Sharecropper – a tenant farmer who receives a share of the value of the crop minus charges for rent and other expenses.

A Nation Divided 1861 Texas joins ten other southern states that withdrew from the US – Formed the Confederate States of America Differences: – Taxes – Public land – State rights – Slavery

Southern States Vow to Secede Southern states threatened to secede if Lincoln won in 1860 Abraham Lincoln won and six states seceded – South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana Governor Sam Houston was urged to secede, but he opposed secession – Believed Texas could preserve its interests by staying in the Union

Texas Secession Convention Even though Sam Houston opposed secession, Texans that favored leaving the union called a convention – Believed the citizens should have the right to vote secede or remain Most delegates opposed secession and did not participate in the convention

Texas Secession Convention Those that did attend favored secession – Adopted the Ordinance of Secession – Stated the US had abused its power and Texas was freed from its allegiance to the US Texas became the sixth state to secede – Followed by Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina

Confederacy Formed February 4, 1861 Confederate States of America adopted a constitution Constitution favored states rights and protected slavery Texas then adopted the Texas Constitution of 1861 – Replaced references to the US with Confederacy

Houston Removed Texas Secession Committee ordered all state officials to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy Governor Sam Houston refused to take the oath and the governor’s position became vacant Lt. Governor Edward Clark replaced Sam Houston

Assignment Place the following events in chronological order – Texas joins the Confederacy – Abraham Lincoln elected president – Texas Secession Convention meets – Sam Houston removed as Governor – South threatens secession during presidential campaign