Jefferson Davis Elected as Provisional President of the Confederate States of America

On February 9, 1861, Jefferson Davis was elected as the provisional president of the Confederate States of America (CSA). This event marked a significant moment in American history, as it solidified the leadership of the newly formed Confederacy, which had seceded from the United States.

Context Leading Up to the Election

The election of Jefferson Davis occurred in the midst of escalating tensions between the Northern and Southern states of the United States. The primary issue dividing the nation was the institution of slavery, particularly its expansion into newly acquired territories. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States in November 1860, who was seen as anti-slavery, prompted several Southern states to secede from the Union.

By February 1861, seven Southern states—South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas—had seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. These states convened in Montgomery, Alabama, to establish a provisional government and draft a constitution for the Confederacy.

The Election of Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis, a former U.S. Senator from Mississippi and Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce, was a prominent figure in Southern politics. Known for his strong advocacy of states’ rights and slavery, Davis was seen as a suitable leader for the Confederacy.

On February 9, 1861, the Confederate constitutional convention elected Davis as the provisional president. Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia was elected as the vice president. Davis was not present at the convention; he was at his plantation in Mississippi when he received the news. Despite initial reluctance, Davis accepted the position, viewing it as a duty to his state and the Southern cause.

Significance and Aftermath

Jefferson Davis’s election as provisional president was crucial in organizing the Confederate government and military. He was inaugurated on February 18, 1861, in Montgomery, Alabama, the first capital of the Confederacy. Davis’s leadership would be tested as the Confederacy faced numerous challenges, including establishing a functioning government, securing international recognition, and waging war against the Union.

The election of Davis and the formation of the Confederate government set the stage for the American Civil War, which began in April 1861 with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. The war would last until 1865, resulting in significant loss of life and the eventual defeat of the Confederacy.

Jefferson Davis’s presidency and the Confederate States of America remain subjects of extensive study and debate, particularly regarding their roles in the broader context of American history and the enduring legacy of the Civil War.