In january of 1861, several southern states responded to the recent presidential election by sending delegates to protest the inaugural address. petitioning to remove the new president from office. firing on a federal military fort in south carolina. uniting under a new confederate government.

Uniting under a new Confederate government.

Explanation:

The Confederate States of America was a country that was formed by the Southern states of America. It was founded in 1861 and lasted until 1865. It initially was formed by South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.

The Confederacy was formed because the Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States and opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories.