In which we use a special two-part biography of Jefferson Davis to bring his life up to speed with where we currently are on the podcast timeline, the year 1861.

In which we take a look at some of the major differences between North & South on the eve of the Civil War.

In which we discuss the birth of the Confederate States of America at Montgomery, Alabama in February 1861.

In which we continue our discussion by asking if the southern states had a right to secede, or if secession was rebellion. Then, we look at the message the secession commissioners spread throughout the South in late 1860/early 1861. Our book recommendation for this episode is "Apostles of Disunion" by Charles B. Dew.

In which we look at how seven southern states withdrew from the Union between Abraham Lincoln's election and his inauguration.  We answer the question: What was behind the secession of these states?