Territorial evolution of the Confederate States

The Confederate States of America was created on February 8, 1861, by representatives from six states that had recently declared their secession from the United States of America, starting with South Carolina on December 20, 1860. After the start of the American Civil War on April 12, 1861, between the two countries, five additional states would secede, and representatives of two others would gain admittance to the Confederacy. The country also held alliances with several Indian nations and claimed a territory in its far west. However, after its swift formation, it would only lose control over its territory over the next four years, culminating in total defeat in early 1865 and the formal dissolution of the government on May 5. The entire claimed area of the Confederate States was claimed by the United States.

Key to map colors

  Confederate States states

  Confederate States territories

  seceded from United States but not part of Confederate States

  area changed by event

Date	Event	Change Map
December 20, 1860	In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, South Carolina proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
January 9, 1861	Mississippi proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
January 10, 1861	Florida proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
January 11, 1861	Alabama proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
January 19, 1861	Georgia proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
January 26, 1861	Louisiana proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
February 8, 1861	The Confederate States of America was formed by representatives of the seceded states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The capital was established at Montgomery.[2]
March 2, 1861	Texas proclaimed its secession from the Union and was admitted to the Confederate States,[1][3] withdrawing from Congress.
March 28, 1861	Representatives in the southern half of New Mexico Territory proclaimed an independent Arizona Territory south of the 34th parallel north.[4]
April 17, 1861	Following the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, and President Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to respond, Virginia proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
May 6, 1861	Arkansas proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
May 7, 1861	Virginia was admitted to the Confederate States.[5]
May 20, 1861	Arkansas was admitted to the Confederate States.[6] North Carolina proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
May 21, 1861	North Carolina was admitted to the Confederate States. The law admitting the state required a presidential proclamation before it was to take effect,[7] which sources say took place on this date;[8] the only primary source found so far is a statement from Jefferson Davis on July 20 stating that the proclamation had been made.[9]
June 8, 1861	Tennessee proclaimed its secession from the Union, withdrawing from Congress.[1]
July 2, 1861	Tennessee was admitted to the Confederate States.[10]
July 20, 1861	The capital was moved to Richmond.[11]
August 1, 1861	Following Confederate victory in the First Battle of Mesilla, Arizona Territory was proclaimed as part of the Confederate States.[12]
October 31, 1861	A splinter government in Neosho, Missouri, declared the secession of the state from the United States.[1]
November 20, 1861	A convention in Russellville, Kentucky, declared the formation of a splinter government in Bowling Green and the secession of Kentucky from the United States.[1]
November 28, 1861	The splinter Neosho government of Missouri was admitted to the Confederate States. The Confederate States never held much power over the state, but it was given full representation in the legislature.[13]
December 10, 1861	The splinter Bowling Green government of Kentucky was admitted to the Confederate States. The Confederate States never held much power over the state, but it was given full representation in the legislature.[14]
December 21, 1861	The Confederate States ratified treaties with the Osage, and the Seneca and Shawnee.[15][16]
December 23, 1861	The Confederate States ratified treaties with the Cherokee, granting them a delegate to the Congress of the Confederate States, and with the Seminole, granting them a delegate to be shared with the Creek.[15][16]
December 31, 1861	The Confederate States ratified treaties with the Choctaw and Chickasaw, granting them a delegate in the Congress of the Confederate States; with the Comanche; with the Creek, granting them a delegate to be shared with the Seminole; and the Quapaw.[15][16]
April 2, 1865	After the fall of Richmond, the government fled for Danville.[17]
April 11, 1865	With Union forces threatening Danville, the government fled to Greensboro.[18]
April 22, 1865	The last meetings of the full cabinet began in Charlotte,[19] and would last until April 26.[20]
May 5, 1865	The remaining members of the cabinet met in Washington, Georgia, and dissolved the country.[21] Military surrenders were scattered throughout 1865, but the most important is regarded as that of the Army of Northern Virginia following the Battle of Appomattox Court House on April 9.