Jefferson Davis And The American Civil War

The southern states although far less populated and without initial means to manufacture war supplies did have the strengths to be very competitive. Strong, experienced Confederate leadership in their practiced military, and the overall will power to protect their way of life would prove to be their greatest assets. Jefferson Davis became the president of the Confederacy and was a model leader. He developed a distinguished political career with many years served in the senate, he was a West Point graduate, the former Secretary of War, and a veteran of the Mexican American War. He was the ideal candidate for a president in war times. He had the advantage of having General Robert E. Lee commanding his army after Joseph Johnston was injured in The Battle of Bull run. Robert E. Lee due to strong respect, character and performance in the Mexican American war was Lincoln’s first choice as the Union general but Lee’s patriotism to his home state

After the defeat at Fort Sumter there were some northerners that tried to get Lincoln to let the south go. When deciding weather to take Fort Sumter by bombardment, one of Davis's ideas was a bargain with Washington , maybe purchase, for the peaceful turnover of the fort and other federal holding in the seceded states. Thinking Confederate independence was inescapable, Davis prayed that they would slow down long enough to recognize that they could save millions of dollars and many lives by stopping this. He believed that the honor of the Confederate States of America (CSA) would be reestablished if everyone seen Davis challenge Lincoln successfully. While dealing with all of this he still was ready to take Fort Sumter. Davis just wanted peace and to be left alone. The South was fighting a defensive war, which gave it inherent advantage.

Jefferson Davis was undoubtedly an important figure in the Confederacy. Davis was placed in charge of nation that had very few soldiers, little industrialization, and a lack of unity. Many historians blame the defeat of the South on Davis for being a “hot-tempered micromanager”. After the war, Davis was made into a scapegoat; a symbol of treason and racism. Who was Jefferson Davis as a person, solider, statesmen, and leader? A focus on Davis’ life, leadership skills, speeches, and actions before, during, and after the war may offer evidence to show who Jefferson Davis truly was. Also, it is crucial to take into account circumstances that affected Davis and his decision making before, during, and after the

Stonewall Jackson, a general for the Confederate Army died in 1863 due to complications from a gunshot wound (“Thomas”). Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was a general for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Jackson was most commonly known for his strategy and his men who were very skilled. Despite all of this Jackson was a brilliant tactician and a master at commanding his troops, which is why he is regarded as one of the best generals of the Civil War.

Jefferson Davis also influenced the loss of the South in the civil war by ineptly handling the military, with one of his mistakes being giving important positions to his friends. For example, Albert Sidney Johnston was the second highest-ranking Confederate general, but before that he had been an adjutant general, never having led an army before. Lucky for Johnston, however, he was good friends with Jefferson Davis, having attended West Point with him, so Davis promoted him to full general, a position in which he outranked much more experienced men like Robert E. Lee, P.G.T. Beauregard, and Joseph E. Johnston (Rafuse). Albert Sidney Johnston was later killed in the Battle of Shiloh, most likely by one of his own men, a fact which proves that he is inept in commanding an army (Sword 444). Davis’s cabinet was also not free from so-called “friend nepotism.” Judah P. Benjamin became friends with Jefferson Davis after a planned duel between the two, in which they both acknowledged that they respected each other. Davis, following his election as President, appointed him to three different cabinet positions: Attorney General, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State. As a lawyer who knew almost nothing about military strategy, he was more of a placeholder as Secretary of War, filling the position so Davis could control it behind the scenes (“Judah P. Benjamin Biography”). Jefferson kept taking up other people’s jobs (such as general-in-chief, see below), and it

d. Jefferson Davis - Jefferson Davis was an American politician who served as President of the Confederate States of America for its entire history during the Civil War.

Jefferson Davis was in the military also was a hero in the Mexican war ,he also took an active role in dictating confederate military strategy in the Civil war. Born on june 3, 1808 in the state of Kentucky but raised in two state which were Wilkinson and Mississippi. Went to a private school and applied for west point in 1824 finished college at 1828. He got married with Varina Howell in january 15 1835, three months later his wife died from malarial fever September 15,1835. He developed a devotion to southern plantation life, and his own attitude toward his slaves led him to deny fiercely all claims that slavery is cruel to all them.

The Civil War is known as a turning point in America, the road to ending slavery, while first turning a nation against each other.

Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stephens were re-inaugurated on February 22, 1862. Although there were no established parties, “Confederate politics soon divided along pro- and anti-administration lines, and the lack of designated groups only caused confusion and disorganization.”# Some wanted to negotiate peace with the North while others objected to Davis’ policies in supporting the war effort. “Some even promoted that their states secede from the Confederacy and form separate countries. After the next congressional elections, held over a nearly six-month period in 1863 due to the logistical problems of the Union military presence across the South, nearly two-fifths of the Confederate House and one half of the Senate were openly anti-administration.”#

While Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States of America, Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States. He was also the Secretary of War from 1853 to 1857. The disadvantage that the CSA had with Davis being their leader was that he couldn’t figure out what tactics to use on the Union Army to win them. On Christmas in 1826, he was under house arrest because he had participated in a riot called the Eggnog

The American Civil War is often considered a second American Revolution, with the emancipation of slaves a major victory for the progressives and the oppressed of this era. Likewise, the Civil War can be interpreted as a major loss for states’ rights, an argument that is at the forefront of all parts of the right wing. The Civil War can be viewed as both, but the freeing of slaves in the South was the right thing to do and definitely a win for human rights as a whole. Abraham Lincoln in the final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation begins his statement with this, “I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government

Jefferson Finis Davis, an American politician who was U.S. Representative and Senator from Mississippi, U.S.Secretary of War, and the President of the Confederate States of America during the War. On November 6, 1861, Jefferson Davis was elected president, not of the United States of America but of the Confederate States of America. He ran unopposed and was elected to serve for a six-year term. Davis had already been serving as the temporary president for almost a year.He was also appointed US Senator on August

The first aspect of Davis’s presidency was the political aspect and that is where most of the problems and failures occurred, both with his relationship with other parts of the government and his relationship with the public. Davis had an unpleasant relationship with the other parts of his government. During the war Davis “attempted to maintain control over the unwieldy Confederate government, frequently quarreling with both the Confederate Congress and state governments throughout the South,” (O'Brien). This weaken the Confederate government as it didn’t allow for collaboration between the two branches of

On February 18, 1861, the provisional Congress of the Confederate States made him provisional president. He was elected to the office by popular vote the same year for a 6-year term and was inaugurated in Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy, on February 22, 1862. Davis failed to raise sufficient money to fight the American Civil War and could not obtain recognition and help for the Confederacy from foreign governments. He was in constant conflict with extreme exponents of the doctrine of states' rights, and his attempts to have high military officers appointed by the president were opposed by the governors of the states. The judges of state courts constantly interfered in military matters through judicial decisions. Davis was nevertheless responsible for the raising of the formidable Confederate armies, the notable appointment of General Robert E. Lee as commander of the Army of Virginia, and the encouragement of industrial enterprise throughout the South. His zeal, energy, and faith in the cause of the South were a source of much of the tenacity with which the Confederacy fought the Civil War. Even in 1865 Davis still hoped the South would be able to

Jefferson Davis ,most famously known as the president of the Confederate States during the Civil War, was an interesting subject of the 19th century. You would think it was because of his contributions to the war or lack thereof, but unfortunately he is associated more with his peculiar characteristics. Many of the characteristics are equivalent to those of basic people carrying out normal lives. The expectancy of loyalty and respect, indecisiveness, and not being capable of admitting faults, we all know someone with at least one of these traits, maybe even all of them. So why was it so unique in the case of Jefferson Davis? Although these were normal traits, the life that Davis lived was not. With such a public demanding job, every aspect of his life was showcased and under close observation. The struggle between Davis and his overpowering attributes not only had an effect on his relationships and friendships, but they also had an impact, not completely negative or positive, on the way he completed his job.