Confederate States of America

Confederate States of America Definition

The Confederate States of America was a group of eleven states that seceded from the US upon the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. President Lincoln believed that secession would not only severely weaken democracy and the overall American government but also go against the Constitution.¹

President Abraham Lincoln claimed that his first and most crucial task was ensuring the Union's preservation. Lincoln made good on his claim, and the Confederacy lost the war in the spring of 1865. They became a part of the Union once again.

Fig. 1 A map highlighting the Confederate States of America.²

Confederate States of America History

With the Abolitionist Movement rapidly growing in the American North in the 19th century, many in the South began to fear that slave ownership would be abolished.

Modernization and Industrialization of the North had not only brought in new influences from abroad but also removed the need for slavery. As a single-crop economy centered around slavery, the Southern economy would no longer be sustainable.

In the 1850s, South Carolina and Mississippi were the first states to make their intentions of secession clear to protect their agricultural economies. Upon realizing there would be a Republican candidate for the election of 1860, the South knew they needed to act. The growing confidence in their secession was backed by the power of "King Cotton," the crop that accounted for more than half of US exports. By withholding the crop, the South assumed that the US and Europe would be forced to reach accommodations with them to continue exports and recognize them as independent nations from the North.

During the Democratic Convention of 1860, southern delegates could not agree on the official Party policy; some wished to be completely pro-slavery, while others understood it would be wiser to attempt a compromise. Despite meeting twice, the Democratic Party was split into three groups and put forth three candidates for the election. The first was the Northern Democratic Party which nominated Stephen A. Douglas; the second was the "Fire-Eaters", a militant Southern Democratic group that put forth John C. Breckinridge; finally, there was the Constitutional Union Party, who only stood in support of what the Constitution stated and the government deemed correct. They went on to nominate John Bell.

Fig. 2 Stephen A. DouglasFig. 3 John C. Breckinridge Fig. 4 John Bell

Confederate States of America Constitution

Throughout the Secession Winter of, seven states claimed their separation by February of 1861. On the 4th of February, representatives from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana (Texas following later on) met in Montgomery, Alabama, to find The Confederate States of America.

When writing their Constitution, they modeled it almost precisely off the US Constitution. Still, they changed a couple of crucial aspects, specifically regarding the Executive and Judicial branches of government. The Confederate President was allowed to lead for a six-year term but not allowed to be re-elected. This was deemed more powerful than the term times and conditions of Union Presidents. The Confederate Constitution also upheld the right of slavery in their new country but still outlawed the African slave trade.

Confederate States of America Presidents

When the seven states met in February to lay the foundation of their new nation, former secretary of war and current Senator of Mississippi, Jefferson Davis, was elected as the Confederacy's President. Interestingly, ex-Georgia governor and former anti-secessionist Alexander H. Stephens became the Vice President.

Fig. 5 President Jefferson Davis

Throughout the Civil War and his Presidency, Davis had his authority repeatedly challenged by the people and his own Vice President. Davis was unfit for his position and was called out for it all too often, forcing him to reconstruct his cabinet multiple times to keep his way. The people of the states were becoming angry that the Confederate government felt it had the power to draft men into the war, as it infringed upon the states' rights. Davis faced impeachment multiple times during his short years as President.

As the war raged on and the Confederacy saw a more significant loss of men, previously enslaved African American men began entering the military. The South also used them as nurses and orderlies in the hospitals, aiming to win the war.

Confederate States of America Flag

The Confederate States of America had multiple different flags with various meanings for each, it was all dependent on the area and regiment that was being represented.

Fig. 6 Naval Jack Confederate Battle Flag

"Dixie" or "Rebel Flag"

One of the most recognizable flags is the Confederate Battle Flag, also known as "Dixie" or the "Rebel Flag." This flag is often confused with the Confederate "Stars and Bars." The Battle Flag never represented the nation as the Stars and Bars did from 1861 to 1863. As new states were added to the Confederacy, the number of stars on the flag increased.

Confederate States of America Facts

1. The Confederacy only saw one president, Jefferson Davis (1861-1865).
2. The Confederate Constitution is based on the US Constitution, with changes being made regarding the Executive and Judicial branches of government.
3. By its end in 1865, The Confederate States of America consisted of 13 states.
4. The Confederate States of America had multiple flags with various meanings for each; it depended on the area and regiment being represented.
5. Initially, the Confederate capital was Montgomery, Alabama; it was later changed to Richmond, Virginia, then Danville, Virginia (for only 8 days) upon the evacuation of Richmond in 1865.
6. Approximately 1.7 billion dollars of Confederate currency was issued during its short time as a nation.
7. The Confederacy paid their Black soldiers the same amount as their white soldiers, which did not reign true in the heavily Abolitionist Union.
8. In 1864, the Confederate States began to abandon slavery. Some historians argue that it's possible the South would've gotten rid of slavery without the war; however, the South seemed to abandon it as soon as they realized their loss was sealed.