Introduction to Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America, often called The Confederacy, the 11 Southern states that declared their secession from the Union at the beginning of the Civil War. The Confederate States survived until after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee and General Joseph E. Johnston in April, 1865.
Seven states—South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas—formed the Confederacy at a meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, February 4–9, 1861. When President Lincoln called for troops after the firing on Fort Sumter (April 12–13, 1861), Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina also joined the Confederacy. The western part of Virginia remained loyal to the Union and in 1863 became a new state, West Virginia.
The proslavery "border" states of Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware did not secede. However, Confederate governments-in-exile were established for Missouri and Kentucky, which accounts for the 13 stars on the Confederate flag.
The Confederate States covered about 700,000 square miles (1,800,000 km 2), a quarter of the total area of the United States and territories before secession. The population of the South was about 9,000,000, which included some 3,500,000 slaves, as compared to a population of almost 23,000,000 in the Union.
Constitution and Government
The Confederate constitution (adopted March 11, 1861, to become effective February 18, 1862) was similar to the U.S. Constitution in many respects, but contained some notable differences. The President and Vice President were to be elected for six-year terms and were not eligible for reelection. The constitution expressly "recognized and safeguarded" slavery. However, the African slave trade was prohibited. In keeping with the South's historic position, a protective tariff—one for purposes other than revenue—was forbidden.
Southerners did not consider secession illegal because they held that each state was, sovereign and had the right to decide for itself whether it would belong to the Union. The Confederate constitution said nothing about states' rights or the right of secession, but the existence of these rights was implied. In many ways, however, the Confederate government became as centralized as that of the Union. The problem of division of powers between the central government and the states troubled the Confederacy throughout its short life.
Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was chosen President and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia, Vice President. Richmond, Virginia, became the Confederate capital in May, 1861.
Once the structure of the new nation was established, Southern leaders expected the Confederacy immediately to function as a nation, prepared to fight a war to affirm its independence. This was an impossible task, however, given the political, economic, and military situation. In addition, the South was plagued throughout the war by disputes among its leaders—Davis, his cabinet, the Congress, and the state governments.
Foreign Relations
The Union government never recognized the Confederate States as a nation or as a government. However, the proclamation of a blockade of Southern ports (April 19, 1861) had the effect of giving the Confederacy the rights of belligerents, which foreign governments immediately recognized by proclaiming neutrality. Captured Southerners were treated not as rebels or traitors, but as prisoners of war. After the war a few persons were tried for war crimes, but no charges of treason were ever brought to trial by the Union.
Although foreign governments proclaimed neutrality, they did not recognize the Confederacy as a nation. For a time, Great Britain, France, and Spain seemed likely to recognize the Confederate States, but failed to do so for a variety of economic, political, and military reasons. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Lincoln in 1862, made the Union cause more definitely a crusade against slavery and won widespread popular support abroad. Without diplomatic recognition, it was impossible for the South to obtain badly needed aid from foreign governments—a major factor in the Confederacy's defeat.
Economy
The great weaknesses of the Confederate States were lack of industry and lack of money. There were few factories that could produce the materials of war. Imports supplied necessities for a time, but the tightening blockade reduced this source year by year. With exports cut off, the Confederate government had to print paper money and bonds without gold or silver to back them. This money rapidly declined in value as the fortunes of the army waned, and toward the end of the war became almost worthless.
The principal asset of the Confederacy was its agriculture. Over most of its area a surplus of food was raised, but its distribution depended on vulnerable waterways and a network of railways that did not prove equal to the demands of war. Most river shipping was eventually captured and many railways were destroyed by Union troops. Late in the war, the Union adopted a deliberate policy of destroying food supplies. This policy, together with the blockade, eventually made it impossible for the Confederacy to carry on warfare.
Life In the Confederacy
When the Confederacy was formed, opinion in the South was strongly united. Only about 10 per cent of the population opposed the war; such opposition as existed was found mainly among poorer whites. Most Southerners favored fighting, if necessary, until independence was secure. Many, however, foresaw only a short war. As the South had long cherished a military tradition and the ideals of chivalry and gallantry, its people faced the approaching struggle with enthusiasm and optimism.
Despite preparations for war, life in the South was not seriously disrupted for most people in the early months. Hopes were high for prompt foreign recognition of the Confederacy and for swift victory over the Union in battle. Some 100,000 men met the first call for volunteers for the Confederate army. The withdrawal of these men from the labor force did not immediately affect the economy. Women took over management of farms and plantations. Also, the slave-labor system continued throughout the war. Although there were runaways and minor revolts, there never was a general slave insurrection.
Dates of SecessionSouth Carolina December 20, 1860 Mississippi January 9, 1861 Florida January 10, 1861 Alabama January 11, 1861 Georgia January 19, 1861 Louisiana January 26, 1861 Texas February 1, 1861 Arkansas May 6, 1861 North Carolina May 20, 1861 Virginia May 23, 1861 Tennessee June 8, 1861After the first year, the situation was one of progressive deterioration for the underpopulated, underindustrialized, and underfinanced Confederacy. The hardships of war were evident in some localities in 1862. By 1863 distress was widespread. Food and clothing shortages were common. The Northern blockade of Southern ports had become increasingly effective, cutting off supplies from the rest of the world. Inadequate transportation facilities hampered distribution of what food was available. Education was seriously disrupted as a result of a shortage of teachers and textbooks.
The failure of Confederate finances led to rampant inflation. The Confederate dollar was worth less than five cents by 1864. While a few unscrupulous speculators made substantial profits, most salaried people suffered greatly. Particularly needy were the families of soldiers; a private's pay was only about $18.00 a month. In rural areas, many people were forced to turn to bartering.
Discontent with the Confederate government arose over various issues. When conscription (the draft) was instituted in 1862, lower-class whites resented exemptions given to the upper classes. Almost from the beginning of the war, food and equipment shortages forced the Confederate army to impress (to take for public use) property from the citizens. Payment was generally late, if it came at all, and at war's end, the government owed its citizens half a billion dollars. Among states' rights advocates, there was bitter opposition to the increasing centralization of the Confederate government. The highly individualistic Southerners also resented the infringements on their civil liberties necessitated by the prolonged war.
Being the war's battleground, the South was the scene of immense devastation. All sections did not suffer equally, but suffering was universal. The civilian population struggled to obtain the very necessities of life while often caught between two warring armies. Cities and towns in battle zones were left in ruins; civilians became refugees. Whatever could be of use to the Confederate military—crops, livestock, equipment, barns, rail lines, and bridges—generally was either confiscated or destroyed by advancing Northern troops. Slaves liberated by Northern victories found themselves adrift and unwanted.
As the horrors of war multiplied, there was a growing feeling that continuation of the struggle was futile. By 1865 nearly two-thirds of the men in the Confederate army had given up fighting, leaving their regiments to return to salvage what was left of their homes. Most Southerners did not blame the army for the loss of their cause but held the political leaders responsible.