What was immediate reaction to south secession?

The immediate reaction to the secession of the southern states from the Union in 1860-1861 was a mixture of shock, anger, and concern. Northern states were particularly dismayed by the secession of their southern counterparts, as it threatened the unity and stability of the country. President Abraham Lincoln, who had recently been inaugurated, pledged to preserve the Union and prevent the spread of secession, setting the stage for the American Civil War.