Who was President of the South during the Civil War?
The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was a crucial period in the history of the United States. One of the most significant and controversial aspects of this conflict was the creation of a separate government in the Confederacy, which was an attempt by 11 southern states to secede from the Union and form a new nation. At the head of this government was Jefferson Davis, who was inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States of America on November 6, 1861.
Early Life and Career
Jefferson Finis Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Christian County, Kentucky, to a family of minor landowners. He spent his early years in relative poverty, but his talent and hard work earned him a scholarship to Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. Davis’s education was interrupted by a bout of malaria, after which he transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
After graduating from West Point in 1828, Davis served as a cavalry officer in the American-Mexican War and later as a delegate to the Mississippi Secession Convention. In 1846, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he remained until 1851.
Governor of Mississippi
In 1850, Davis was elected to the United States Senate, where he became an advocate for states’ rights and a vocal critic of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which he believed would lead to slavery expansion. In 1861, Davis resigned his Senate seat and was subsequently elected as the Governor of Mississippi, where he played a key role in the decision to secede from the Union.
President of the Confederate States of America
On February 18, 1861, Davis was elected as the President of the Provisional Confederate Government. He was inaugurated on November 6, 1861, marking the beginning of his tumultuous four-year presidency. During his tenure, Davis faced numerous challenges, including:
• Economic difficulties: The Confederacy was plagued by a fragile economy, with limited industry, trade, and investment opportunities.
• Border state neutrality: Several northern border states, such as Kentucky and Missouri, did not join the Confederacy, which weakened the separatist movement.
• Union military superiority: The Union Army, under the leadership of President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant, initially had a significant advantage over the Confederate forces.
Davis’s presidency was marked by controversy and debate, as he struggled to maintain his government’s legitimacy and withstand the pressures of war. He was known for his:
• Strong nationalistic views: Davis was a firm believer in state sovereignty and the right of states to secede, which led to tensions between him and the border states and ultimately contributed to the War.
• Struggle with generals: Davis was often at odds with prominent Confederate generals, such as Robert E. Lee, who questioned his strategy and leadership.
Policies and Legacy
Jefferson Davis’s presidency saw several significant policies and developments, including:
• Emancipation Proclamation: In 1862, Davis issued a similar proclamation to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in Confederate-controlled territories.
• Surrender: On May 26, 1865, Davis surrendered at Irwinville, Georgia, bringing an end to the Confederate government.
• Imprisonment: Davis was held prisoner at Fort Monroe, Virginia, for nearly two years before being released on bail in 1867.
After the War, Davis went into exile in the Caribbean and later in Europe before returning to the United States, where he was arrested, charged with treason, and acquitted. He spent his remaining years writing and lobbying for Confederate rights, until his death on December 6, 1889.
Table of Confederate Presidents
| Term | President | Party | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1861 – April 1865 | Jefferson Davis | Democratic | Creation of the Confederate States, Battle of Gettysburg, Emancipation Proclamation |
Key Points
• Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
• He was inaugurated on November 6, 1861, and served for four tumultuous years.
• Davis faced numerous challenges, including economic difficulties, border state neutrality, and Union military superiority.
• He struggled with generals and was a strong advocate for state sovereignty and the right of secession.
• Davis was eventually captured and imprisoned before being released and spending his remaining years writing and advocating for Confederate rights.
Despite the controversy surrounding his presidency, Jefferson Davis remains a significant figure in American and Confederate history, and his legacy continues to be studied and debated by historians today.
