er many northern Whigs joined antislavery Democrats to form the Republican Party in July 1854 The last main conflict that led to succession was during the presidential election of 1860. The newly formed Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln on the principles that he opposed the further expansion of slavery. The Southerners were not united in their decision and disputed over whether to nominate Douglas. Finally, they nominated John Beckinridge for president. Lincoln easily won the election as a result of the division amongst the Southern delegates. Now with Lincoln being elected, the South really felt that expansionism was being threatened, and because expansion was vital to the survival of slavery they also felt their way of life was being threatened. Because slavery was such an important part of Southern society, the South argued that they could not survive without it. They were convinced that they should make a bid for independence by secession rather than face political warfare. It was best described when a Southern man said "We have at last reached that point in our history when it is necessary for the South to withdraw from the Union. This has not been our seeking...but we are bound to accept it or self-preservation." This was officially the end and now the South wanted to secede. Lincoln had made claims that secession was illegal and said that he intended to maintain federal possessions in the South. Southerners hoped the threat of secession would force acceptance of Southern demands, but it did not. Finally, the day came on December 20, 1860 when South Carolina adopted an ordinance of secession. The other states to follow and secede were Mississippi on January 9, 1861, Florida on January 10, Alabama on January 11, Georgia on January 19, Louisiana on January 26, and Texas on February 1. On February 4, delegates from all these states met in Montgomery, Alabama where they drafted a constitution for the Confederate States of ...
