6.1 Florida's secession and role in the Confederacy

Florida's path to secession was paved with economic, political, and social factors. Slave-based agriculture, states' rights concerns, and a strong Southern identity fueled the push to leave the Union. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was the final straw for many Floridians.

Key figures like Governor Madison Starke Perry led the charge for secession. On January 10, 1861, Florida officially left the Union. The state then joined the Confederacy, contributing troops, supplies, and strategic resources to the Southern cause throughout the Civil War.

Florida's Path to Secession

Reasons for Florida's secession

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• Economic factors
  • Dependence on slave-based agriculture underpinned Florida's economy with cotton and sugar plantations relying heavily on enslaved labor
  • Fear of economic collapse without slavery drove many Floridians to support secession as they believed emancipation would devastate their livelihoods
• Political tensions
  • States' rights concerns fueled opposition to federal authority and perceived Northern interference in Southern affairs
  • Belief in the right to secede stemmed from interpretation of the Constitution as a voluntary compact between sovereign states
• Social and cultural factors
  • Strong Southern identity fostered through shared customs, values, and way of life distinct from Northern culture
  • Desire to preserve the Southern way of life including social hierarchy, agricultural traditions, and racial attitudes
• Election of Abraham Lincoln
  • Perceived threat to slavery intensified as Lincoln's Republican Party opposed expansion of slavery into new territories
  • Fear of Republican policies led to concerns about gradual abolition and economic reforms unfavorable to Southern interests

Key figures in Florida's secession

• Governor Madison Starke Perry spearheaded the secession movement by calling for a convention and advocating for Florida's withdrawal from the Union
• John Milton emerged as a prominent pro-secession politician who later served as Florida's Civil War governor, guiding the state through the conflict
• Secession Convention in Tallahassee (January 3-11, 1861) saw delegates debating and ultimately voting 62-7 in favor of leaving the Union
• Ordinance of Secession signed on January 10, 1861 formally declared Florida's separation from the United States and alignment with the Confederacy
• Joseph Finegan led Florida's secession movement and later commanded Confederate forces in the state during the Civil War

Florida's Role in the Confederacy

Florida's contribution to Confederacy

• Military contributions
  • Supplied troops to Confederate armies with approximately 15,000 Floridians serving in various units throughout the war
  • Florida Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia fought in major battles (Gettysburg, Chancellorsville) earning a reputation for bravery
• Economic support
  • Provided food and supplies to Confederate forces including beef, pork, and citrus fruits crucial for sustaining armies in the field
  • Salt production for meat preservation became a vital industry with Florida's coastline producing large quantities for Confederate use
• Strategic importance
  • Coastline for blockade running allowed smuggling of goods and weapons past Union naval patrols
  • Ports for Confederate naval operations served as bases for commerce raiders and small warships harassing Union shipping
• Battle of Olustee
  • Largest Civil War battle fought in Florida on February 20, 1864 resulted in a significant Confederate victory
  • Prevented Union forces from cutting off Confederate supply lines and disrupting Florida's contribution to the war effort

Factors influencing Florida's Confederate role

• Political factors
  • State government's support for the Confederate cause included raising troops, enforcing conscription, and suppressing Unionist sentiment
  • Implementation of Confederate policies such as impressment of goods and suspension of habeas corpus affected daily life in Florida
• Economic factors
  • Blockade's impact on trade and commerce led to shortages of imported goods and inflation of currency
  • Shift in agricultural production to support war effort saw increased focus on food crops and livestock rather than cash crops (cotton)
• Social factors
  • Home front experiences included food shortages, absence of men serving in the military, and increased roles for women in managing farms and businesses
  • Role of women in supporting the war effort encompassed nursing, fundraising, and manufacturing supplies for soldiers
• Demographic changes
  • Migration of slaves seeking freedom resulted in labor shortages on plantations and increased tension in some areas
  • Influx of refugees from other Confederate states placed additional strain on Florida's resources and infrastructure