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How did the southern response to the 1860 election results demonstrate disconnection?
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The southern response to the 1860 election results demonstrated disconnection in several ways:
1. Secession: Following Abraham Lincoln's victory in the election, seven southern states (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas) seceded from the Union. This act of secession clearly indicated a disconnection from the federal government and their unwillingness to accept the election results.
2. Formation of the Confederacy: The seceded states formed the Confederate States of America in early 1861, electing Jefferson Davis as their president. This shows a significant disconnection between the southern states and the ideals and governance of the United States, as they formed their own separate government.
3. Refusal to recognize Lincoln's authority: The southern states that remained in the Union, such as Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas, refused to recognize Abraham Lincoln as the legitimate president. They saw his election as a threat to their way of life, particularly regarding the issue of slavery, which led to their sense of disconnection and a diminishing faith in the federal government's ability to represent their interests.
4. Military conflict: The disconnection between the southern states and the Union was further highlighted by the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. The Confederacy viewed themselves as a separate nation and fought against the Union forces, seeking independence and disconnection from the United States entirely.
Overall, the southern response to the 1860 election results demonstrated a clear disconnection from the federal government, resulting in secession, formation of a separate government, refusal to recognize Lincoln's authority, and ultimately leading to armed conflict.