1. The Secession Convention
Third Grade Social Studies
2/16/09

2. North vs. South
During the Antebellum period, there were major differences between the north and south.
The south supported slavery as part of their way of life since the southern economy was dependent on slave labor.
The south supported slavery as part of their way of life since the southern economy was dependent on slave labor.

3. North vs. South
North and South were also divided over the issue of states’ rights.
This was an idea supported by John C. Calhoun. It was the idea that the state had the right to decide whether or not to obey national laws.
Yes No
Maybe
State Vote

4. The Election of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States in 1860.
Southern states feared that Lincoln would end slavery.
This would change the way of life in the south dramatically.
Lincoln wanted to stop the spread of slavery to the western territories, but he was not an abolitionist. He did not want to end slavery in the south.
South Carolina and other states were trying to hold onto their way of life, and they defended their action with the argument of states’ rights.
WEST
Abraham
Lincoln
SLAVERY

5. Secession
As a result of the election of Abraham Lincoln as president, a Secession Convention was held in Columbia, and then moved to Charleston in December, 1860.
At this convention, South Carolina decided to secede, or break away, from the rest of the United States.
Almost all members of the convention voted to secede.
The U.S.
South Carolina

6. Secession
At the Secession Convention, the members signed the Ordinances of Secession.
South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union, even before Lincoln was sworn in as president.

7. The Confederate States of America
Soon, other states joined South Carolina and formed a new country, The Confederate States of America, also known as the Confederacy.
They wrote a constitution and elected a president, Jefferson Davis, in January, 1861.
The Confederacy began to form an army and to take over forts and other property located in the south.
The Confederate Army

8. What do you remember?
Name two factors that contributed to the secession of South Carolina.
Where and when was the Secession Convention held?
What important decision was made at the Secession Convention? A+