Did the Confederate States legally secede from the Union?

Or was there a law against it?

?2021-03-27T00:22:01Z

The states decided that since they had freely joined the union, they would freely leave the union. There was  no law saying they could never leave.
 https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/09/13/letter-souths-secession-wasnt-treason/661181001/

Jeff D2021-02-27T22:34:56Z

The Constitution doesn't mention secession nor provide any mechanism for it.  Some people thought that was implied (if you view the Constitution as a limiting document--that is, anything not explicitly prohibited is allowed--then you could say the right of secession is implicit), others saw it more like a 'roach motel' paradigm (you can check in but you can never check out).

Of course, if you want to be a stickler for the law, it was probably illegal (and treasonous) for the US to secede from England!

?2021-02-27T21:49:27Z

There was no Constitutional procedure for secession. Like Hillary's email, no legal punishment was provided.

?2021-02-27T21:18:52Z

The confederate states lost because the conservatives are weak. 

Elwood Blues2021-02-27T21:18:50Z

The Constitution has no provision for secession.  There is no legal way to secede.  In addition, the Confederate military leaders swore a life-long oath of loyalty to the US Constitution.  Then they violated that oath, and attacked the nation governed by and sworn to uphold that Constitution.  Said actions meet the Constitutional definition of 'Treason.'

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