What was a direct effect of the Confederacy's establishment in response to Lincoln's election?

The establishment of the Confederacy following Lincoln's election led directly to the immediate secession of Southern states. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was perceived by many in the Southern states as a threat to their way of life and an indication of the potential for abolitionist policies to grow. Lincoln, a member of the Republican Party, did not advocate for the expansion of slavery into new territories, which alarmed Southern leaders. In response, states such as South Carolina were quick to secede from the Union, marking the beginning of a series of secessions that would ultimately lead to the formation of the Confederate States of America.

This response to Lincoln’s election not only reflected deep-seated tensions between the North and South but also signaled the beginning of a conflict that would escalate into the Civil War. The other options, while relevant to the broader context of the Civil War and its causes, do not directly relate to the immediate actions taken by Southern states in response to Lincoln's election. For instance, the strengthening of the Union Army and the expansion of Northern industry were longer-term effects that occurred as a reaction to the war developments, not as an immediate reaction to Lincoln's victory. Similarly, a call for national unity was often expressed by some