The seven original Confederate States of America

The secession of Florida was voted on and approved on January 10, 1861. Of the 69 convention delegates elected from throughout the state, 62 supported the ordinance of secession with seven voting against.Mississippi became the second southern state to vote to secede. Their delegates declares emphatically that "a blow at slavery is a blow at commerce and civilization. That blow has been long aimed at the institution, and was at the point of reaching its consummation. There was no choice left us but submission to the mandates of abolition, or a dissolution of the Union, whose principles had been subverted to work out our ruin." Their secession vote occurred on January 9, 1861.  South Carolina was the first state to seceded. The South Carolina convention voted on the Ordinance of Secession on December 20, 1860. In their action, the delegates to the convention stated "that the Union heretofore existing between this State and the other States of North America, is dissolved, and that the State of South Carolina has resumed her position among the nations of the world, as a separate and independent State". View the list »
Original CSA flag

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On February 8, 1861, the provisional constitution of the Confederates States of America was approved at the congress held in Montgomery, Alabama. The constitution was approved by seven states– South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Louisiana. It was formally adopted on March 11, 1861. The original CSA seven star flag was adopted.

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Four states joined later, after the orginal constitution was approved. Another flag replaced the sevens star flag. Those four that joined after March 11 were Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

Here's a look at the seven states and when they adopted their ordinance of secession.

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  • South Carolina was the first state to seceded. The South Carolina convention voted on the Ordinance of Secession on December 20, 1860. In their action, the delegates to the convention stated "that the Union heretofore existing between this State and the other States of North America, is dissolved, and that the State of South Carolina has resumed her position among the nations of the world, as a separate and independent State". 
  • Mississippi became the second southern state to vote to secede. Their delegates declares emphatically that "a blow at slavery is a blow at commerce and civilization. That blow has been long aimed at the institution, and was at the point of reaching its consummation. There was no choice left us but submission to the mandates of abolition, or a dissolution of the Union, whose principles had been subverted to work out our ruin." Their secession vote occurred on January 9, 1861.  
  • The secession of Florida was voted on and approved on January 10, 1861. Of the 69 convention delegates elected from throughout the state, 62 supported the ordinance of secession with seven voting against.
  • The fourth southern state to approve seceding from the Union was Alabama. Their vote in favor of leaving the Union took place on January 11, 1861. Their ordinance stated "that the State of Alabama now withdraws, and is hereby withdrawn from the Union known as 'the United States of America',  and henceforth ceases to be one of said United States, and is, and of right ought to be, a Sovereign and Independent State."
  • On January 19, 1861, Georgia became the fifth state to secede from the Union. Their vote abrogates their  original entrance into the Union on January 2, 1788. And they declared "that the State of Georgia is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of Sovereignty which belong and appertain to a Free and Independent State".  
  • Louisiana followed Georgia and became the 6th southern state to favor secession. Their vote became official on January 26, 1861. In their official document of secession, the convention delegates said "whereby the Constitution of the United States of America and the amendments of the said Constitution were adopted, and all laws and ordinances by which the State of Louisiana became a member of the Federal Union, be, and the same are hereby, repealed and abrogated; and that the union now subsisting between Louisiana and other States under the name of 'The United States of America' is hereby dissolved".
  • Texas was the seventh and last of the original states to vote to approve their ordinance of secession. The vote took place on February 1, 1861. Their vote was 166 in favor of secession and 8 against. The vote repealed and made null and void the Texas annexation law of 1845. The citizens of Texas approved secession in an election across the state.
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, Civil War Examiner

Bob O'Connor is the author of six Civil War books. His areas of expertise include the U.S. Colored Troops, John Brown, Abraham Lincoln's personal bodyguard, and brothers fighting against brothers. He presents a very authentic first person living history portrayal of Ward Hill Lamon, Abraham...

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