Secession
/sɪˈsɛʃən/
Definitions
The act of withdrawing formally from membership of a federation or body, especially a political state.
/sɪˈsɛʃən/
The states' secession was a pivotal moment in American history.
💡 Simply: Imagine a club. Secession is like when a member decides they're done with the club and officially quits. It's a serious decision, like when countries decide to leave a larger group.
👶 For kids: It's when a group of people, or a country, says, 'We don't want to be part of this anymore!' and leaves.
More Examples
The threat of secession looms over regions with distinct cultural or economic interests.
The declaration of secession was the starting point of the conflict.
How It's Used
"The Southern states' secession from the United States led to the American Civil War."
"Historians study the events that preceded and followed the secession of various regions."
Idioms & expressions
Secession crisis
A period of political tension and instability leading up to and following a secession.
"The secession crisis tested the limits of the federal government."
From Latin *secessio*, from *secedere* 'to withdraw'. The term gained significant historical prominence in the context of the American Civil War.
The term 'secession' gained major historical significance during the American Civil War, referring to the withdrawal of Southern states from the Union.
Memory tip
Think 'separation' - secession is the formal separation, like when a country leaves a union.