Why did Alabama and Mississippi split?

Because there were two migrations at two disparate locations, and the capital was in the wrong place. Take a good look at a physical map of Mississippi and Alabama. Notice where the rivers run — north to south in pretty much every case. read more

As Mississippi started to prepare for statehood in late 1816 and early 1817, though, it was clear that the time to split had come. An enabling act was passed in March, and Alabama formally split off the same day Mississippi was admitted to the Union, December 10, 1817. read more

The Territory of Mississippi was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from April 7, 1798, until December 10, 1817, when the western half of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Mississippi and the eastern half became the Alabama Territory until its admittance to the Union as the State of Alabama on December 14, 1819. read more