Alabama was one of the wealthiest states in the Union. In 1860 forces in the North moved toward the abolition of slavery. The leaders of Alabama opposed federal interference in the affairs of their state. They proposed secession. After a special election among the people, a convention was held in Montgomery on January 7, 1861. On January 11 a resolution of secession was adopted, and Alabama invited all the other southern states to meet in Montgomery to form a new union. On February 4, 1861, the convention met and drew up the constitution for the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis