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The Confederacy and the United States in 1861

Explore the events leading up to the American Civil War, including the secession of the southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America. Learn about the Confederate Constitution, the leadership of Jefferson Davis, and the challenges faced by the Confederacy. Discover the role of slavery, states' rights, and foreign intervention in shaping the outcome of the war.

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The Confederacy and the United States in 1861

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  1. The Confederacy and the United States in 1861

  2. John C. Calhoun • Nationalist in 1810s and 20s • Champion of the South 1830s-50s • “Father of Southern Nationalism” and Secessionism

  3. The Road to War • Secession seemed the only alternative left to protect southern equality and liberty. • South Carolina seceded on December 20, 1860. • The rest of the Deep South followed and formed the Confederate States of America on February 7, 1861. • Buchanan’s reactions to secession • Faced with the secession of the southern states, President Buchanan argued that secession was illegal, but that he lacked the constitutional authority to coerce a state

  4. Lincoln’s Inauguration • Lincoln sought to reassure southerners that he had no intention, “directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists.” • But he maintained that “the Union of these states is perpetual,” and he intended to hold federal property.

  5. The Confederate States of America

  6. The New Confederacy • 7 State Confederacy: • Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and Florida • 4,969,141 total people • 2,312,352 slaves • 2,646,789 free.

  7. Confederate Constitutional Convention—Montgomery, Alabama, February-March 1861 • 50 delegates—49 owned slaves, 21 owned 20 or more. • The Radicals are sidelined. • February 18, 1861—Jefferson Davis is chosen as interim President for a one year term

  8. Confederate Constitutional Convention—Montgomery, Alabama, February-March 1861 • Opposed to party politics • Convention dominated by wealthy aristocrats and the Confederate Constitution protects their interests • Central goal of new Constitution: PROTECT SLAVERY

  9. The Confederate Constitution:Intro • CC = modified version of US Constitution • No Right of Secession Included!

  10. The Confederate Constitution: Slavery • You may take your slaves anywhere in Confederacy without losing them • Strong Fugitive Slave Law • Congress can't confiscate slaves • Slavery exists in all territories

  11. The Confederate Constitution: States Rights • States can impeach federals • States can tax ships • No suing states • No spending federal money on industry and other internal improvements • All laws must have a single subject

  12. The Confederate Constitution: The Presidency • 1 6 year term • President had a line-item veto • Cabinet members could sit in Congress • President could fire them at will • Otherwise, he could only fire for 'cause'

  13. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy • Born in Kentucky

  14. Jefferson Davis, Confederate President • West Point (1824-8) • US Army (1828-35) • Fort Building • Black Hawk's War (1832) • Leaves to marry Sarah Knox Taylor, but she dies • Mississippi Planter and Politician (1835-46) • Mexican War service—Mississippi Rifles (1846-8) • Battle of Buena Vista • Southern Nationalist (1848-60) • Secretary of War (1853-7) • Senator from Mississippi (1857-61)

  15. Jefferson Davis as leader • A fierce, honest, honorable advocate for his beliefs • Stiff, stubborn, inflexible, poor at compromise • Very loyal • TOO LOYAL • But probably the best choice (the alternatives were worse)

  16. Confederate Resources • Cotton • Military Experience • State and Federal Armories • Slaves

  17. State and Federal Regulation of Economic Production • Confederate government controlled key resources—Iron, salt, copper, railroads • Food Production was a problem; masters tended keep growing cotton • Slave Labor could not be forced by central government; many slaves effectively wasted

  18. Civil Liberties and States’ Rights • Suspension of Habeas Corpus • The Draft (20% of soldiers) • Confederate/State relations • State Self-Defense • North Carolina and Georgia had obstructionist leaders—Vance and Brown

  19. Confederate Strategy: Foreign Intervention • Hope that Europe needs cotton would = Europe comes to our aid! • Europeans did allow Confederates to build ships • Why no intervention? • British public hates slavery • French busy invading Mexico • Both wary of war with Union

  20. The War Begins: 1861 • Both sides expect easy victory • Short-Term Volunteers • Armies volunteer for only 3 months! President Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy ordered an attack on Fort Sumter and on April 12, 1861 the Confederates opened fire.

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