What event had a profound impact on tennesseans opinions over secession?

The attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861 had a profound impact on Tennesseans' opinions regarding secession. Initially, many were divided on the issue, but the Confederate attack galvanized support for secession among those who felt a strong allegiance to the Southern cause. The subsequent call for volunteers to defend the Confederacy further swayed public sentiment, leading to Tennessee's decision to join the Confederacy later that year. This event marked a significant shift in the state's political landscape as more residents rallied behind the secessionist cause.