One hundred and sixty-two years ago this December South Carolina seceded from the UnitedStates. This action, taken by South Carolinians, began the process that ultimately led elevenstates out of the...

One hundred and sixty-two years ago this December South Carolina seceded from the UnitedStates. This action, taken by South Carolinians, began the process that ultimately led elevenstates out of the Union and precipitated a deadly, four year Civil War.Almost from the beginning of this process, a debate raged over the true reason for the secessionof these southern states. Apologists for the Confederacy have consistently focused on theoppression of the federal government, specifically the economic and political factorsnecessitating the drastic step of secession. These arguments stress the fear of economic ruinshould the north be allowed to dominate the federal government and institute policies which thesouth deemed the source of their projected economic devastation. Southerners also clung to thenotion that their cause was akin to the "Revolutionaries of 1776". They wrapped themselves inthe rhetoric of the American Revolution and claimed their only relief lay in following the lead ofthe Founders to take up arms against their oppressors.Northerners who opposed secession claimed that there was no good or legitimate reason for thesouth to pull out of the Union. These arguments contend that the federal government had not andcould not oppress the south either economically or politically. While southern "fire-eaters'shouted that the newly installed Lincoln Administration was determined to end slavery,northerners reiterated Republican claims that they had no intention to strike against slavery andwere only determined to stop the spread of slavery into the territories. To bolster their claimsRepublicans noted that while they won the presidency they did not control the government atlarge.AssignmentYour assignment is to analyze the southern justification for secession. In order to do this youwill need to read the secession ordinances attached and provide an explanation of thejustifications provided by these states for leaving the Union. Do they address the Revolutionaryheritage as part of their rationale? If so, in what way is it addressed? How does each explain itseconomic and/or political plight? Do they consider this a/the critical element in their decision tosecede? Most importantly, where precisely does slavery fit into their rationale for secession?How strongly do they focus on the issue of slavery? Is it the central part or just one of severalequally weighted arguments? You will be expected to weigh the importance of slavery to thedecision to secede. Was slavery the most important, very important, or only slightly important inthe ultimate decision to leave the Union.In your final product you will need to use a quote from each of the Ordinances to support yourposition.
RequirementsPapers must be 2-5 pages in length and typed (12pt font). Your work must be original and relyon information gathered from lectures, textbook readings, and additional resource materialprovided in class. Simple citation of source material is sufficient and can be included inparenthetical reference within the body of the paper (ex. Foner, p. 515). Papers must besubmitted no later than April 29, 2022. Late papers will not be accepted or graded.