The secession of Georgia refers to the state's decision to formally withdraw from the United States of America leading up to the Civil War. On January 19, 1861, Georgia became the fifth state to secede, following South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. The secession convention, consisting of elected delegates, voted overwhelmingly in favor of leaving the Union. Their decision was based on a range of factors including the election of Abraham Lincoln, who they believed threatened their way of life, specifically the institution of slavery. The document outlining Georgia's secession argued that the federal government had failed to uphold its obligations and protect the rights of slaveholders. This event signaled a significant escalation of tensions between the North and the South, ultimately paving the way for the Civil War.
