Alabama During Secession

Alabama Secedes:

Like many Southern states in the lead-up to the Civil War, Alabamans wrote about secession as a reaction to Northern actions. Prior to secession, Alabama's state government decided that if a "Black Republican" were elected in the November 1860 election, the state would convene soon after to discuss their next steps. After the election of Abraham Lincoln, the state seceded on January 11, 1861. The following articles published in the Confederate Veteran reminisce about the justification of secession, the process Alabama took to secede, and its immediate aftermath. 

Alabama Secedes From the Union

"The Secession of Alabama" 

Confederate Veteran v.39 (1931)

Written by a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, this article discusses the "brave and patriotic people" of Alabama and suggests that they made more sacrifices than any other state. 

Alabama's Secession Convention, 1861

"Alabama's Secession Convention, 1861" 

Confederate Veteran v.31 (1923)

This article recalls Alabama's secession convention in January 1861. The article reminisces over the prayers which began the convention to attempt to establish a divine connection to secession, and remembers the secession vote as "one of the most solemn scenes [their] eyes ever beheld."

Questions to Consider: 

What do you think motivated these individuals to write these articles, and why?

In the context of Lost Cause ideology, why was important to be a "patriotic people" if your actions were of rebellion and treason?

Appraise the importance of connecting divine will to the cause of the Confederacy? 

As a historian, how would you approach these sources?