In January 1861, Alabama took a pivotal step in the growing rift between the Northern and Southern states by passing an ordinance of secession from the United States. This decision was largely fueled by the perceived threat to the institution of slavery following the election of Abraham Lincoln, a member of the anti-slavery Republican Party. On January 11, 1861, the Alabama legislature convened and voted overwhelmingly in favor of secession, marking the state as the fourth to leave the Union in a swift series of actions reflecting the deepening divide within the country. Montgomery, Alabama, was selected as the temporary capital of the Confederate States of America, highlighting the state’s critical role in the formation of the Confederacy.This moment marked both the culmination of years of mounting tensions surrounding slavery and states' rights, and the initiation of broader conflict. Alabama's decision was part of a domino effect; after it seceded, other Southern states soon followed suit, leading to the formation of the Confederacy. The act emphasized the ideological differences between the North and South, showcasing Alabama's commitment to preserving slavery as economic and social structure vital to its agricultural economy. The secession set into motion a series of events that culminated in the outbreak of the Civil War just months later, reshaping the nation irreversibly.