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Territorial evolution of the Confederate States

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The Confederate States of America was created on February 8, 1861, by representatives from six states that had recently declared their secession from the United States of America, starting with South Carolina on December 20, 1860. After the start of the American Civil War on April 12, 1861, between the two countries, five additional states would secede, and representatives of two others would gain admittance to the Confederacy. The country also held alliances with several Indian nations and claimed a territory in its far west. However, after its swift formation, it would only lose control over its territory over the next four years, culminating in total defeat in early 1865 and the formal dissolution of the government on May 5. The entire claimed area of the Confederate States was claimed by the United States.

Table of changes

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Key to map colors
  Confederate States states
  Confederate States territories
  seceded from United States but not part of Confederate States
  area changed by event
Date Event Change Map
December 20, 1860 In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, South Carolina proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the founding states of the Confederate States on December 20, 1860
January 9, 1861 Mississippi proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the founding states of the Confederate States on January 9, 1861
January 10, 1861 Florida proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the founding states of the Confederate States on January 10, 1861
January 11, 1861 Alabama proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the founding states of the Confederate States on January 11, 1861
January 19, 1861 Georgia proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the founding states of the Confederate States on January 19, 1861
January 26, 1861 Louisiana proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the founding states of the Confederate States on January 26, 1861
February 8, 1861 The Confederate States of America was formed by representatives of the seceded states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The capital was established at Montgomery.[2] Map of the change to the Confederate States on February 8, 1861
March 2, 1861 Texas proclaimed its secession from the Union and was admitted to the Confederate States,[1][3] withdrawing from Congress. Map of the change to the Confederate States on March 2, 1861
March 28, 1861 Representatives in the southern half of New Mexico Territory proclaimed an independent Arizona Territory south of the 34th parallel north.[4] Map of the change to the Confederate States on March 28, 1861
April 17, 1861 Following the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, and President Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to respond, Virginia proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the Confederate States on April 17 1861
May 6, 1861 Arkansas proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the Confederate States on May 6, 1861
May 7, 1861 Virginia was admitted to the Confederate States.[5] Map of the change to the Confederate States on May 7, 1861
May 20, 1861 Arkansas was admitted to the Confederate States.[6]

North Carolina proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]

Map of the change to the Confederate States on May 20, 1861
May 21, 1861 North Carolina was admitted to the Confederate States. The law admitting the state required a presidential proclamation before it was to take effect,[7] which sources say took place on this date;[8] the only primary source found so far is a statement from Jefferson Davis on July 20 stating that the proclamation had been made.[9] Map of the change to the Confederate States on May 21, 1861
June 8, 1861 Tennessee proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1] Map of the change to the Confederate States on June 8, 1861
July 2, 1861 Tennessee was admitted to the Confederate States.[10] Map of the change to the Confederate States on July 2, 1861
July 20, 1861 The capital was moved to Richmond.[11] Map of the change to the Confederate States on July 20, 1861
August 1, 1861 Following Confederate victory in the First Battle of Mesilla, Arizona Territory was proclaimed as part of the Confederate States.[12] Map of the change to the Confederate States on August 1, 1861
October 31, 1861 A splinter government in Neosho, Missouri, declared the secession of the state from the United States.[1] Map of the change to the Confederate States on October 31, 1861
November 20, 1861 A convention in Russellville, Kentucky, declared the formation of a splinter government in Bowling Green and the secession of Kentucky from the United States.[1] Map of the change to the Confederate States on November 20, 1861
November 28, 1861 The splinter Neosho government of Missouri was admitted to the Confederate States. The Confederate States never held much power over the state, but it was given full representation in the legislature.[13] Map of the change to the Confederate States on November 28, 1861
December 10, 1861 The splinter Bowling Green government of Kentucky was admitted to the Confederate States. The Confederate States never held much power over the state, but it was given full representation in the legislature.[14] Map of the change to the Confederate States on December 10, 1861
December 21, 1861 The Confederate States ratified treaties with the Osage, and the Seneca and Shawnee.[15][16] Map of the change to the Confederate States on December 21, 1861
December 23, 1861 The Confederate States ratified treaties with the Cherokee, granting them a delegate to the Congress of the Confederate States, and with the Seminole, granting them a delegate to be shared with the Creek.[15][16] Map of the change to the Confederate States on December 23, 1861
December 31, 1861 The Confederate States ratified treaties with the Choctaw and Chickasaw, granting them a delegate in the Congress of the Confederate States; with the Comanche; with the Creek, granting them a delegate to be shared with the Seminole; and the Quapaw.[15][16] Map of the change to the Confederate States on December 31, 1861
April 2, 1865 After the fall of Richmond, the government fled for Danville.[17] Map of the change to the Confederate States on April 2, 1865
April 11, 1865 With Union forces threatening Danville, the government fled to Greensboro.[18] Map of the change to the Confederate States on April 11, 1865
April 22, 1865 The last meetings of the full cabinet began in Charlotte,[19] and would last until April 26.[20] Map of the change to the Confederate States on April 22, 1865
May 5, 1865 The remaining members of the cabinet met in Washington, Georgia, and dissolved the country.[21] Military surrenders were scattered throughout 1865, but the most important is regarded as that of the Army of Northern Virginia following the Battle of Appomattox Court House on April 9. Map of the change to the Confederate States on May 5, 1865

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Secession Ordinances of 13 Confederate States". University of Houston. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  2. ^ Constitution for the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America Archived August 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 8, 2015
  3. ^ An Act to admit Texas as a member of the Confederate States of America Archived August 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 8, 2015
  4. ^ "Arizona Territory". National Park Service. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  5. ^ An Act to admit the Commonwealth of Virginia as a member of the Confederate States of America Archived August 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 8, 2015
  6. ^ An Act to admit the State of Arkansas into the Confederacy Archived August 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 8, 2015
  7. ^ An Act to admit the State of North Carolina into the Confederacy, on a certain condition Archived August 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed June 29, 2016
  8. ^ "Secession". John Locke Foundation.
  9. ^ Confederate Congress 1861, 1:272. (View the page cited)
  10. ^ Navy Dept, United States; Rush, Richard (1922). Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. p. 103. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  11. ^ A resolution to provide for the removal of the seat of government., accessed April 17, 2019
  12. ^ Colton, Ray Charles (1985). The Civil War in the Western Territories. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 122–123. ISBN 0-8061-1902-0. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  13. ^ Confederate Public Law Session V, Chapter I; accessed May 22, 2015
  14. ^ Confederate Public Law Session V, Chapter V Archived April 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine; accessed May 22, 2015
  15. ^ a b c "As long as grass shall grow and water run: The treaties formed by the Confederate States of America and the tribes in Indian Territory, 1861". University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  16. ^ a b c "Maps and History of Oklahoma County 1830–1900". Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  17. ^ "Danville during the Civil War". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  18. ^ "North Carolina as the Confederate Capital". North Carolina Humanities Council. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  19. ^ "The Confederate Cabinet meets in Charlotte". North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  20. ^ "Last Meetings of the Confederate Cabinet Commemorative Marker, Charlotte". University of North Carolina. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  21. ^ "Remaining Confederate Cabinet Dissolves". Kansas City Public Library. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
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