Which event was the catalyst for the secession of the first seven southern states in 1861?

a) passage of a higher protective tariff.
b) issuance of the emancipation proclamation.
c) the election of abraham lincoln as president.
d) the shipment of the union supplies to fort sumter.

The correct answer is C) The election of Abraham Lincoln as President. Basically they claimed that it was not their president and that the system was rigged and that they all supported the other candidate and they decided to secede and have him as their president. That's basically how the civil war began.

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