December 1860: American Civil War | Secession & South Carolina | Floyd's Conspiracy | Fort Sumter

December 1860 is one month after Abraham Lincoln's election. South Carolina has called a convention to consider secession from the United States.

On December 20, South Carolina secedes from the United States. Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and other slave states consider secession.

Newspapers across the country realize the depth of Secretary of War John Floyd's conspiracy against the union. Over one hundred thousand muskets have been transferred to the south.

In Charleston, Major Anderson knows Fort Moultrie is vulnerable. He relocates to Fort Sumter.

South Carolina militia secure Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinckney, and the Charleston Arsenal. Major Anderson is isolated at Fort Sumter.

President Buchanan opposes secession; however, he is powerless to stop it.

The American Civil War is approaching.

A short film by Jeffrey Meyer, historian, librarian, documentarian.