The Confederate States of America: The 11 Seceding States

The Confederate States of America (CSA) (1861–1865) was an unrecognized breakaway republic formed by 11 Southern states that seceded over slavery and states' rights.

The 11 States (in order of secession)

1. South Carolina (Dec 20, 1860)
2. Mississippi (Jan 9, 1861)
3. Florida (Jan 10, 1861)
4. Alabama (Jan 11, 1861)
5. Georgia (Jan 19, 1861)
6. Louisiana (Jan 26, 1861)
7. Texas (Feb 1, 1861)
8. Virginia (Apr 17, 1861)
9. Arkansas (May 6, 1861)
10. Tennessee (Jun 8, 1861)
11. North Carolina (May 20, 1861)

Key Facts

• Capital: Montgomery, AL → Richmond, VA (May 1861).
• President: Jefferson Davis; VP: Alexander Stephens.
• Constitution: Mirrored U.S. but protected slavery explicitly, banned protective tariffs.
• Never diplomatically recognized by any foreign power.
• Defeated April–May 1865; slavery abolished by 13th Amendment.

The CSA remains a contested symbol in American memory.