Was Virginia Forced to Secede?
Andy, when those delegations from other states were making their pitch to the Virginia representatives, what was their argument?The common narrative is that Virginia seceded because of Lincoln's call for volunteers to suppress the rebellion in the already-seceded states. That's not really correct. Virginia had been debating secession for weeks already, and there were delegations from other southern states lobbying hard in Richmond for the Commonwealth to join them, even before the firing on Fort Sumter. Virginia was leaning increasingly toward secession, and Lincoln's call for volunteers provided an opportunity for Virginia to do what it was almost certainly going to do, regardless.
That said, I do think @Andersonh1 is right -- they'd got themselves in a situation where they had to make a choice.
By the same token many in Northwest Virginia thought is necessary to seceed from Virginia.Was Virginia Forced to Secede?
Is there something more intended by this question? No one forced the State of Virginia to secede, though some seem to want to deny that fact....Was Virginia Forced to Secede?
The key phrase here is "they'd got themselves in a situation where they had to make a choice." The key word is "they". All of us are responsible for the choices we make- good and bad- in life. That is true of governments as well as individuals. Virginia- and Virginia alone- is responsible for the choice they made.The common narrative is that Virginia seceded because of Lincoln's call for volunteers to suppress the rebellion in the already-seceded states. That's not really correct. Virginia had been debating secession for weeks already, and there were delegations from other southern states lobbying hard in Richmond for the Commonwealth to join them, even before the firing on Fort Sumter. Virginia was leaning increasingly toward secession, and Lincoln's call for volunteers provided an opportunity for Virginia to do what it was almost certainly going to do, regardless.
That said, I do think @Andersonh1 is right -- they'd got themselves in a situation where they had to make a choice.
All of us- at one time or another- are "forced to make a choice". But that choice- when made- is ours and ours alone. It was no different with Virginia. Circumstances required them to choose; they chose unwisely.They were forced to make a choice, at least. I think that if they'd attempted neutrality they'd have had no more success at maintaining it than Kentucky.
True but not all Virginians ;George Thomas , Faraguat and of course the Louden County Rangers and the men from Virginia who joined the various West Virginia Union Regiments and let us not forget the,USCT regiments raised in Virginia.All of us- at one time or another- are "forced to make a choice". But that choice- when made- is ours and ours alone. It was no different with Virginia. Circumstances required them to choose; they chose unwisely.
Sadly, some would like us to remember the role Virginia and Virginians played in the founding of our country and forget about the role Virginia and Virginians played in trying to destroy it....
Thanks for your response.True but not all Virginians ;George Thomas , Faraguat and of course the Louden County Rangers and the men from Virginia who joined the various West Virginia Union Regiments and let us not forget the,USCT regiments raised in Virginia.
Leftyhunter
total bs.Of course they were. Well...at least that is what they convinced themselves had happened after the war. In the face of the death and ruin that resulted from the decision to secede, it is very understandable that the rationalization that "their hands had been forced" would take root.
total bs.
Your welcome.Well, if you say so Bill then it must be true. Thanks for your gracious correction.
Sure. When the state wide vote occurred there were rebel troops from other states present who enforced the vote.Forced?
Didn't they vote on secession?
I have a whole thread" was the vote for secession free and fair" lots of sourced information that no the vote for secession was not always free and fair.Also there was no secret ballot until years after the Civil War.Forced?
Didn't they vote on secession?