The Confederate States of America, formed when seven Southern states seceded, created a confederate government prioritizing state sovereignty and the protection of slavery. Jefferson Davis was elected as its president. The Confederate Constitution closely resembled the U.S. Constitution, with specific protections for slavery.
The Confederate States of America and Its Government
When the Confederate States of America declared itself a new nation in February 1861, it was the result of seven Deep South states seceding from the United States. The notion of secession was rooted in the belief that the federal Constitution was a compact among states that preserved their autonomy. The Confederacy was formed as a confederation to maintain a stronger focus on state sovereignty and the protection of slavery, an institution fundamentally intertwined with their conception of states' rights and socioeconomic structure.
The Confederate Constitution closely mirrored the U.S. Constitution with minor changes to guarantee the perpetuation of slavery and to limit the central government's powers in areas like tariffs and internal improvements. It allowed for a bicameral Congress, a judicial branch, and an executive branch led by a president serving a six-year term with no opportunity for re-election. Jefferson Davis was elected as the first and only President of the Confederacy.
The conflict over federal property, such as forts remaining in Union hands, would soon escalate into warfare, starting notably with the assault on Fort Sumter. Southern politicians contended that they had the right to maintain possession of such properties, which became a contentious point leading up to the American Civil War.