Seven states seceded from the Union within how many months after Lincoln's election?

• A. Within six months
• B. Immediately on election day
• C. Over a year later
• D. Within three months

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is the rapid timeline of secession after Lincoln’s election. Lincoln won in November 1860, and seven Southern states decided to leave the Union in the next few months, before his inauguration. The states moved to secede between December 1860 and February 1861, so the total time from the election to secession was about 2–3 months. That’s why “within three months” is the best fit. It wasn’t immediate on election day, and it didn’t take over a year—the secessions happened early in 1861 as conventions and votes proceeded in each state.