History Daily Episode Summary: South Carolina Secedes From the Union

Podcast Information:

• Title: History Daily
• Host/Author: Airship | Noiser | Wondery
• Description: On History Daily, host Lindsay Graham takes listeners back in time every weekday to explore significant events that occurred “on this day” in history. From tragedies like December 7th, 1941, to monumental achievements such as the moon landing on July 20, 1969, the podcast delves into the true stories of people and events that shaped our world.

Episode Details:

• Title: South Carolina Secedes From the Union
• Release Date: December 20, 2024

Introduction to Secession

The episode opens on December 20, 1860, a pivotal moment just months before the outbreak of the American Civil War. South Carolina emerges as the first state to secede from the Union, marking a critical turning point in American history.

Setting the Scene: Joe Viner narrates the dramatic backdrop of the time, illustrating the tension and unease that pervaded the nation. He describes the growing divide between the Northern and Southern states, primarily over issues surrounding slavery and states' rights.

Historical Context: Antebellum Tensions

To understand South Carolina's secession, the episode delves into the decades-long buildup of conflict between the North and South. This section highlights key events and compromises that both attempted to bridge and inadvertently widen the divide.

Key Events Leading to Secession:

1. Missouri Compromise (1820):

   • As Western expansion introduced new territories like Missouri into the Union, debates erupted over the extension of slavery. The Missouri Compromise, orchestrated by Speaker Henry Clay, admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining a delicate balance. Additionally, it prohibited slavery in territories north of Missouri's southern border.
   • Quote: "But the compromise only further divides the north and South. A bitter schism is brewing." ([02:25])

2. Nullification Crisis (1830s-1840s):

   • Spearheaded by South Carolina Vice President John C. Calhoun, the Nullification Crisis arose when South Carolina declared federal tariffs unconstitutional, asserting the supremacy of state laws over federal mandates.
   • President Andrew Jackson's deployment of federal troops to enforce tariffs underscored the growing assertion of state sovereignty.
   • Quote: "The nullification crisis... highlights to Southerners the danger of the northern majority growing." ([10:39])

Impact of Compromises: These compromises, while temporarily easing tensions, failed to address the underlying conflicts. Instead, they entrenched positions on both sides, setting the stage for inevitable confrontation.

The Election of Abraham Lincoln and the Secession Movement

The election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860 acted as the final catalyst for secessionist sentiments in the South. Although Lincoln was a moderate who opposed the spread of slavery, his victory signaled to many Southern states that the abolition of slavery might be imminent.

Lincoln's Stance:

• Lincoln did not advocate for the immediate abolition of slavery where it already existed but opposed its expansion into new territories.
• His election was perceived by Southern slaveowners as a direct threat to their way of life and economic interests.

Crittenden Compromise:

• In an attempt to preserve the Union, Senator John Crittenden proposed constitutional amendments to protect slavery in existing slave states and prohibit its expansion.
• Despite garnering support among many Southerners, the compromise was rejected by Republicans, including Lincoln, leading to an impasse.
• Quote: "Crittenden's proposed compromise... will ultimately fail and in a matter of days, South Carolina will secede from the Union..." ([02:06])

South Carolina's Secession Convention

On December 18, 1860, the South Carolina General Assembly convened to deliberate on secession. The atmosphere was tense, with delegates passionately debating the state's future.

Key Proceedings:

• Governor William Henry Gist's Declaration:

  • Gist presented the official document of secession, outlining grievances against the federal government and emphasizing the protection of states' rights.
  • Quote: "The Northern states have assumed the right of deciding upon the propriety of our domestic institutions... the desire among white Southerners to protect their slave owning rights." ([12:55])

• Unanimous Vote:

  • The delegates voted unanimously in favor of secession, leading to the formal dissolution of South Carolina from the Union.
  • Declaration: "We the people of South Carolina... hereby dissolved." ([12:55])

Formation of the Confederate States of America

Following South Carolina's declaration, a domino effect ensued with other Southern states seceding shortly after.

Timeline of Secession:

• January 9, 1861: Mississippi secedes.
• Subsequent States: Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas follow suit by January 16, increasing the number of seceded states to seven.

Establishment of the Confederacy:

• On February 4, representatives from the seceded states convened in Montgomery, Alabama, to form the Confederate States of America.
• Jefferson Davis: Appointed as the first President of the Confederacy.

Efforts to Preserve the Union and the Brink of War

As secession took hold, efforts to maintain national unity intensified but ultimately failed to prevent conflict.

Peace Conference at the Willard Hotel:

• Organized by former President John Tyler, the conference aimed to negotiate a compromise to salvage the Union.
• Delegates: 131 representatives from 21 states participated, including moderates seeking to preserve both the Union and slavery.
• Abraham Lincoln's Stance:
  • Lincoln refused to recognize the Confederacy and remained firm against any compromise that would extend or protect slavery.
  • Quote: "They have always been, they always will be beaten." ([20:46])

Outcome:

• The inability to reach an agreement intensified tensions, making the outbreak of war inevitable.

The Battle of Fort Sumter

The episode culminates in the first engagement of the American Civil War—the Battle of Fort Sumter—on April 12, 1861.

Events Leading to the Battle:

• Confederate Blockade: By February 28, the Confederacy had established a provisional army and began seizing federal military installations in the South, including Fort Sumter.
• Fort Sumter's Situation: Major Robert Anderson commanded a small Union garrison of 86 men, facing a blockade and dwindling supplies.

Siege and Surrender:

• April 11, 1861: Confederate General Gustav Beauregard demands the fort's surrender, threatening immediate attack.
• April 12, 1861: Despite the dire circumstances, Anderson refuses to surrender.
  • Quote: “If they’re going to have a chance... they must preserve ammunition.” ([00:12] – paraphrased)
• April 13, 1861: After enduring relentless bombardment, Fort Sumter capitulates with no casualties.
  • Quote: "Not a single man was killed on either side during the Battle of Fort Sumter." ([20:46])

Aftermath:

• The bombardment of Fort Sumter ignites the Civil War, leading to four years of intense and devastating conflict.
• Casualties: By its conclusion in 1865, the war would have claimed over 700,000 lives, making it the deadliest conflict in U.S. history.
  • Quote: "By the time the American Civil war ends in 1865, the conflict will have claimed the lives of over 700,000 soldiers, more than any other war in US history." ([21:52])

Conclusion: The Dawn of Civil War

The secession of South Carolina and subsequent actions by other Southern states set the United States on an irreversible path toward civil war. The episode underscores the complex interplay of political maneuvering, economic interests, and moral convictions that fueled the nation's most devastating conflict.

Final Reflections:

• John Crittenden's Efforts: His failure to broker a lasting compromise illustrates the deep-seated divisions that could not be reconciled through negotiation alone.
• Lincoln's Leadership: His unwavering stance against secession and refusal to accept the Confederacy's legitimacy were pivotal in the Union's resolve to restore national unity.

Historical Significance: The episode highlights how a series of compromises and political decisions, aimed at maintaining balance, ultimately failed to prevent the inevitable clash over slavery and state sovereignty, leading to the American Civil War.

Attribution:

• Hosts and Speakers: Lindsey Graham and Joe Viner
• Production Team: Written and researched by Joe Viner, executive producers Stephen Walter (Airship) and Pascal Hughes (Noiser), with audio editing by Molly Bach.

This episode of History Daily provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of South Carolina's secession, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of the events and motivations that precipitated the American Civil War.