What did jefferson davis do before the civil war?

What did Jefferson Davis do before the Civil War?

Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War, had a long and distinguished career before the conflict began. Born on June 3, 1808, in Christian County, Kentucky, Davis went on to become a U.S. Representative, a U.S. Senator, and the Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce, before ultimately becoming the first and only President of the Confederate States of America. In this article, we will explore what Jefferson Davis did before the Civil War.

Early Life and Education

Davis was the eldest of ten children born to Samuel Emory Davis and Jane Cook Davis. His father was a former planter and a Methodist minister. Davis grew up in a family that valued education, and he went on to attend Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, where he studied for two years before transferring to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

In 1828, Davis graduated from West Point ranked 23rd out of 33 cadets, and he went on to serve in the United States Army for four years before resigning his commission as a lieutenant in 1831. After leaving the army, Davis returned to Kentucky, where he developed an interest in politics.

Political Career

U.S. Representative

In 1835, Davis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served for eight years, during which time he became a strong advocate for states’ rights and limited government intervention in the economy. As a member of the U.S. House, Davis was a strong supporter of the nullification crisis, in which South Carolina attempted to nullify federal tariffs by seceding from the Union.

U.S. Senator

In 1845, Davis was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served for nine years, during which time he chaired the Senate Committee on Territories. As a senator, Davis was a strong opponent of the Mexican-American War and the subsequent annexation of Texas.

Resignation from the U.S. Senate

In 1851, Davis resigned from the U.S. Senate to run for governor of Mississippi, where he was elected in 1851 and served from 1852 to 1854. During his time as governor, Davis was a strong advocate for states’ rights and segregation.

Secretary of War

In 1857, Davis was appointed by President Franklin Pierce as Secretary of War, a position he held until 1861. As Secretary of War, Davis oversaw the development of the Army’s strategy for the Bleeding Kansas crisis, including the use of federal troops to enforce the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Presidency of the Confederacy

In 1861, after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, Davis was elected President of the Confederate States of America, a position he held until the end of the Civil War in 1865. As President of the Confederacy, Davis was responsible for leading the country through the war effort, including the development of the Confederate States Army, the establishment of a functioning government, and the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Impact on the Civil War

Davis’s presidency had a significant impact on the course of the Civil War, including:

• Decline of the Confederacy: Davis’s leadership has been criticized for being poor, leading to the eventual decline of the Confederacy.
• Emancipation Proclamation: The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Davis on January 1, 1863, declared the freedom of all slaves in Confederate territory, but exempted border states and regions under Union control.
• Blockade of the Confederacy: The Union’s naval blockade of the Confederacy, led by Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont, severely limited the Confederacy’s ability to import and export goods, leading to widespread economic hardship.

In conclusion, Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States of America, had a long and distinguished career before the Civil War. From his early life and education to his political career, Davis was a strong advocate for states’ rights and limited government intervention in the economy. His experience as a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of War prepared him for the challenges of leading the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

Chronology of Jefferson Davis’ Life