Week 4 Post

This week's readings in Charles Dew's "Apostles of Disunion" and the McPherson and Hogue textbook presented striking evidence of the future confederate states' reason for secession.  Contrary to the postwar writings of southern leaders and historians claiming the defense of states rights as the reason for secession, the actual causes were threatened white supremacy and the desire to protect the institution of slavery.  Speeches from commissioners of confederate states spoken to audiences in undecided southern states were presented in the texts which showed repeated calls for secession for the sake of maintaining racial order and slavery.