Question

Which BEST explains why Georgia’s decision to secede was important to the southern states?

Answer 1

Answer:

Answer 1: Georgia's decision to secede was important to the southern states because: Option B. Georgia had high economic value because it was a major agricultural producer.

Answer 2: The Georygia Platform succeeded in saving the Union from collapse by: Option A. Quieting radicals who wanted to secede after the Compromise of 1850.

Explanation:

Answer 1:  Georgia was the largest state in the Deep South, with the largest population. This made it crucial to the secessionist movement that was trying to build momentum. Georgia was strategic to the Confederacy because of its location. The city of Atlanta, for example, was used to carry out military operations and to provide a supply route for the men who were fighting for the Confederate army. Georgia had a lot of commercial importance in the South in general as well with some of the largest and most prosperous plantations and vibrant port cities like Savannah.  

Answer 2: The issues dividing the North and South at this point in history were devisive and highly debate. This led to Congress passing the Compromise of 1850 which was supposed to address how the different regions viewed the issue of slavery and to reach some kind of agreement. The Georgia Platform was produced in response to the Compromise, and it helped to ease tensions in the short term because it made it clear the South would not tolerate more incursion on what that they thought were their rights. However, in the long term, it may have helped to reinforce the idea the South was different from the North as a group and thus creating  a sense of solidarity between the southern states.