redlightning
Banned
What would happen if California were a state which was sympathetic to the South and seceded during the American Civil War?
What would happen if California were a state which was sympathetic to the South and seceded during the American Civil War?
The grand total of Californians who went east to serve the rebels was something around 20, which sort of suggests the disparity between loyalist and rebel sympathies in the state.
Basically, it's not going to happen.
Best,
I wonder if more might have served had there ALREADY been a transcontinental railroad. IOW, for some soldiers it may have been a case of what was more convenient to reach rather than any personal principles.
There seem to be some curious changes during this period.
In 1860 Lincoln takes it in a three-way race, though the combined Democratic vote massively exceeds his. Total turnout is about 119,000.
In 1864 things are more or less reversed with Lincoln getting 62,000 to 43,000 for McClellan. Total turnout has fallen by abt 14,000. Had a lot of people gone back east, or were suspected Rebel sympathisers just being "discouraged" from voting?
I wonder if more might have served had there ALREADY been a transcontinental railroad. IOW, for some soldiers it may have been a case of what was more convenient to reach rather than any personal principles.
In my opinion the possibility of a CA secession has little to do with pro-Confederate sentiment and much to do with CA particularism. I think two POD's are necessary: No Gold Rush - which leaves CA populated by a scattering of adventurers, some agricultural pioneers, and the Californios. Telegraph invented later and not in common use - The prospect of immenent telegraphic communication with Back East was a strong in binding this distant land to the common Union. A CA that feels less connected to the greater US and with a more prominent place for Californios and miscellaneous adventurers may well have been a fertile breeding ground for a second Bear Flag Republic, perhaps abetted by the presence of the British Pacific Fleet on the look out for a main chance. A Confederate CA, no chance; A secessionist CA for independence, possibly