On May 6, 1861, the state of Arkansas made the consequential decision to secede from the United States, officially joining the Confederacy during the height of sectional tensions that led to the Civil War. The secession was influenced by multiple factors, including prevalent pro-slavery sentiment, states' rights arguments, and the growing divide between the North and the South on economic and social issues. Governor Henry M. Rector was a significant proponent of secession, framing it as a means of protecting the interests and sovereignty of Arkansas and the Southern way of life.

Prior to the formal act of secession, a special convention was called to deliberate Arkansas's future in the face of the impending conflict. The convention, held in Little Rock, resulted in a majority vote in favor of breaking ties with the Union. The move reflected widespread support among Arkansans for joining the Confederacy, even as some factions in the state remained loyal to the Union. The decision was not simply a matter of political maneuvering; it was shaped by deep-rooted societal beliefs and economic dependencies on slavery.

Arkansas's secession had immediate implications, as the state quickly became a battleground in the Civil War, with strategic railroads and resources that both sides coveted. The state’s alignment with the Confederacy facilitated the mobilization of troops and set the stage for significant battles within its borders, impacting military strategies. The secessionist sentiment also led to internal conflicts, with a number of Unionists in the state leading to a complex civil dynamic of loyalty and resistance that would shape the state’s post-war identity.