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

On February 18, 1861, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the provisional president of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama. This event marked a significant moment in American history, as it formalized the leadership of the Confederacy, a collection of Southern states that seceded from the Union, leading to the American Civil War.

Context and Background

• Secession Movement: The inauguration followed the secession of seven Southern states from the United States, beginning with South Carolina in December 1860. These states seceded primarily over issues related to states’ rights and the institution of slavery.

• Formation of the Confederacy: In February 1861, representatives from the seceded states convened in Montgomery, Alabama, to establish a new government. They drafted a provisional constitution and selected Jefferson Davis as their leader.

• Jefferson Davis: Before his presidency, Davis was a U.S. Senator from Mississippi and had served as the U.S. Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce. He was a staunch advocate for states’ rights and the expansion of slavery into new territories.

The Inauguration

• Ceremony: The inauguration took place on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol. Davis delivered an inaugural address in which he emphasized the Confederacy’s commitment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution, albeit with a focus on states’ rights and the protection of slavery.

• Provisional Government: Davis’s role as provisional president was intended to be temporary, with a permanent government to be established later. He was tasked with organizing the Confederacy’s military and political structures.

Aftermath and Significance

• Civil War Onset: The inauguration of Davis as president solidified the division between the North and South. The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861 would soon follow, marking the beginning of the Civil War.

• Leadership Challenges: Throughout the war, Davis faced significant challenges, including managing the Confederate war effort, maintaining unity among the Southern states, and dealing with resource shortages.

• Legacy: Davis’s presidency is often scrutinized for its role in the Confederacy’s eventual defeat. His leadership style and decisions remain subjects of historical debate.

The inauguration of Jefferson Davis as the provisional president was a pivotal moment that underscored the deep divisions within the United States, setting the stage for the bloody conflict that would ensue. The Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, would become one of the most defining and transformative periods in American history.