History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett cover image

The US Civil War

History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett

00:00

Secession Marked by Desperation and Geography

The South's decision to secede was driven by fear of losing slavery with Lincoln's election, as he won without Southern support. This led to the formation of the Confederate States of America, starting with South Carolina. The Confederacy's reliance on Virginia for its population and power, along with its choice of Richmond as the capital, highlights a strategic yet desperate move. Richmond's proximity to Washington D.C. created vulnerabilities for the Confederacy, while its status as the only viable capital city underscored the rural and underdeveloped nature of Southern society.

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