Alexander Stephens Delivers the Cornerstone Speech

The Cornerstone Speech was delivered by Confederate Vice President, Alexander Stephens extemporaneously in Savannah, Georgia on March 21, 1861.

The speech explained what the differences were between the constitution of the Confederate Republic and that of the United States, laid out the Confederate causes for the American Civil War, and defended slavery.

The speech was given weeks after the secession of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas and less than three weeks after the inauguration of U.S. President Lincoln. The outbreak of hostilities between the two sides had not yet begun.