Defending the Peculiar Institution: The Driving Force Behind Louisiana's Secession

Abstract

This paper explores the driving force behind Louisiana's secession, challenging the "Lost Cause" narrative which suggests that secession was primarily about states' rights rather than slavery. Through a detailed examination of records from the Louisiana Secession Convention and contemporaneous writings, it becomes evident that the protection of slavery was the central motive. The analysis reveals that while states' rights were invoked, they were fundamentally about preserving the institution of slavery. Louisiana's official secession documents may not explicitly cite slavery, yet the convention's debates and resolutions underscore its significance. By critically assessing the legal and social frameworks of the period, particularly focusing on Louisiana's slave laws and judicial decisions, the paper argues that the secession was a strategic effort to maintain slavery and its economic benefits, showcasing the profound impact of this institution on Louisiana's decision to leave the Union.

Keywords: slavery, Civil War, Louisiana, Civil Code, Antebellum, Secession, States Rights