south carolina was the first to take action. leaders there had warned that if a republican won the 1868 election, they would leave the union. on december 20, 1860 in a special convention, they passed a unanimous resolution to secede. in january of 1861 they were followed by mississippi, florida, alabama, georgia and louisiana. texas seceded on february 1. while resolutions for secession were prepared in other states, no more were passed during this period.