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.