Virginia Secedes: A Documentary History

Virginia had the largest population of enslaved people in the US in January 1861, and the institution of slavery permeated its social, political, economic, and legal systems. Despite strong Union loyalty in western Virginia, elected officials painted Abraham Lincoln and Republicans as abolitionists and reaffirmed Virginia's commitment to slavery and white supremacy. This annotated volume of primary source documents from Secession Winter provides insight into Virginia's decision to secede from the Union, with most elected officials wanting Virginia to remain in the Union if Republicans agreed to protect slavery. However, after the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter and President Lincoln's request for troops, Virginia turned from saving the Union to leaving it. Slavery and race, not issues over tariffs, were driving Virginia's debates over secession.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: University of Tennessee Press

In the early months of 1861, Virginia boasted the highest number of enslaved individuals within the United States. Slavery had deeply ingrained itself into the state's social, political, economic, and legal structures. Despite a strong sense of loyalty to the Union in western Virginia as the Civil War approached, the state's elected officials sought to portray Abraham Lincoln and the Republicans as abolitionists, reinforcing Virginia's commitment to slavery and white supremacy.

This annotated collection of primary source documents, curated by Dwight T. Pitcaithley, offers a glimpse into Virginia's decision to secede from the Union during the tumultuous period known as Secession Winter. The volume includes speeches delivered by Virginians from various forums, including the United States Congress, the Washington Peace Conference convened by Virginia's general assembly, and the state's secession convention. Pitcaithley's introductory analysis highlights the complex dynamics at play, revealing that while most elected officials desired Virginia to remain in the Union, their primary condition was that Republicans must guarantee the protection of slavery and its future.

Secessionists, on the other hand, confidently predicted that the incoming Lincoln administration would refuse to accede to these demands. Unionists, however, argued that disunion, regardless of the outcome, would ultimately undermine slavery and pave the way for abolition. Virginia's deliberations on secession were longer and more comprehensive than any other state, reflecting its deep commitment to finding constitutional solutions to avoid separation.

However, it was only after the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter and President Lincoln's request for troops to suppress the "insurrection" that Virginia shifted its stance, ultimately deciding to leave the Union. Throughout Pitcaithley's collection, a consistent theme emerges: that slavery and race, rather than issues related to tariffs, were the primary drivers of Virginia's debates over secession. The volume is accompanied by a comprehensive Secession Winter timeline, an extensive bibliography, and insightful questions for further exploration.

This collection provides valuable insights into the complex and contentious period leading up to Virginia's secession and its role in shaping the course of the Civil War. It serves as a reminder of the profound impact that slavery and race had on American society and the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781621908432