Delaware Rejects Secession - January 3, 1861

On January 3, 1861, the state of Delaware decisively voted against secession from the United States. This event took place during a period of intense national division in the months leading up to the American Civil War. With southern states moving towards breaking away from the Union following the election of Abraham Lincoln as President, Delaware, despite its geographical location and cultural ties to the South, chose to remain with the Union.

Context Leading to the Vote

The election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860 as the first Republican president sparked a crisis in the Southern states. His platform of halting the spread of slavery was perceived as a direct threat to the institution of slavery, which was integral to the Southern economy and way of life. Following Lincoln’s election, states in the Deep South, beginning with South Carolina on December 20, 1860, began the process of secession.

Delaware, though a slave state, had unique characteristics that differentiated it from the Deep South. It had a relatively small number of enslaved individuals compared to its neighbors and had progressively industrializing regions, particularly in and around Wilmington. These factors contributed to the state’s distinct stance during the secession crisis.

The Decision and Vote

Delaware’s decision-making body was the General Assembly, composed of representatives and senators who convened to discuss the state’s course of action amidst the widening national crisis. On January 3, 1861, the assembly voted on whether Delaware should join the seceding states. The outcome was a flat rejection of the proposal to secede from the Union.

The vote reflected a blend of economic pragmatism, political calculation, and loyalty to the Union. Given its border state position and economic ties to the Northern states, the risks associated with seceding were considered too high. Additionally, there were prominent Unionist sentiments among the political leaders and a focus on preserving stability and order.

Aftermath and Historical Significance

Delaware’s decision had significant implications. By choosing to remain in the Union, the state positioned itself as part of a complex group of border states, which included Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. These states had strategic importance due to their geographic location and resources.

Delaware’s vote against secession highlighted the nuanced positions within slaveholding states. It also underscored the divided national sentiment on the eve of the Civil War, contributing to the narrative that not all slave states supported the Confederacy.

The choice to stay loyal to the Union contributed to the Northern war efforts logistically and symbolically. It demonstrated the complex allegiances at play during this critical juncture in American history, reflecting the underlying tensions between economic interests, political ideologies, and regional loyalties.