Definition

1. Noun:
   • The formal withdrawal or separation from a political union, alliance, or federation: The act of a group or region leaving a larger body, often a nation.
   • The historical withdrawal of eleven Southern states from the United States in 1860-1861: This specific act of secession precipitated the American Civil War.
   • (Often capitalized: Secession) An Austrian movement in art and architecture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries: A style parallel to Art Nouveau, characterized by its break from traditional academic art institutions.

Usage Examples

• General Political Context:
  • The region's threat of secession created a constitutional crisis.
  • The principle of self-determination is sometimes invoked to justify secession.
• Historical Context (U.S.):
  • South Carolina was the first state to announce its secession from the Union.
  • The American Civil War was fought over the issues of slavery and states' rights, including the right to secession.
• Art History Context:
  • The Vienna Secession was founded by artists including Gustav Klimt.
  • Secession architecture often features ornate decoration and flowing lines.

Advanced Usage

• "Right to secession": A political or philosophical concept arguing that a people or region has a legitimate right to withdraw from a sovereign state.
  • The debate over a unilateral right to secession remains contentious in international law.
• "Secessionist movement": A group actively advocating for and working toward political separation.
  • The secessionist movement gained momentum following the controversial election.

Variants and Related Words

• Secede (verb): To withdraw formally from membership in a federation or body.
  • The province voted to secede from the nation.
• Secessionist (noun/adjective): (A person) advocating or relating to secession.
  • The secessionist leaders were arrested.
• Secessional (adjective): Relating to or involving secession.
  • The court ruled on the secessional referendum.

Synonyms

• Withdrawal: The act of removing oneself from participation.
• Separation: The action of moving or being moved apart.
• Breakaway: The act of separating from a larger group.
• Schism: A split or division between strongly opposed parties.

Related Phrases

• "Act of secession": The formal declaration or process of separating.
  • The parliament passed a resolution condemning the act of secession.
• "To declare secession": To formally announce an intent to separate.
  • The regional assembly voted to declare secession.

Related Idioms

• "A house divided": Often used in contexts discussing secession or civil war, implying a nation split by internal conflict. (Originates from a speech by Abraham Lincoln about the crisis of secession).
  • The issue of sovereignty threatened to make the country a house divided.

Noun

1. formal separation from an alliance or federation
2. the withdrawal of eleven southern states from the Union in 1860 which precipitated the American Civil War
3. an Austrian school of art and architecture parallel to the French art nouveau in the 1890s