First Capitol, Montgomery AL

Second Capitol,

Richmond VA

The The Confederate ConstitutionConfederate Constitution of seven of seven state signatories—state signatories—South CarolinaSouth Carolina, , MississippiMississippi, , FloridaFlorida, , AlabamaAlabama, , GeorgiaGeorgia, , LouisianaLouisiana and and TexasTexas—formed a —formed a "permanent federal government" in "permanent federal government" in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1861Montgomery, Alabama, in 1861 Four additional slave-holding states—Four additional slave-holding states—VirginiaVirginia, , ArkansasArkansas, , TennesseeTennessee and and North CarolinaNorth Carolina—declared their —declared their secession and joined the Confederacy secession and joined the Confederacy following a call by following a call by U. S. PresidentU. S. President Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln for troops from each for troops from each state to recapture Sumter and other lost state to recapture Sumter and other lost federal properties in the South federal properties in the South

Map of the states and Map of the states and territories claimed by the territories claimed by the

Confederate States of AmericaConfederate States of America

MissouriMissouri and and KentuckyKentucky were were represented by partisan factions represented by partisan factions from those states. Also aligned from those states. Also aligned with the Confederacy were the "with the Confederacy were the "Five Civilized TribesFive Civilized Tribes" and a new " and a new Confederate Territory of ArizonaConfederate Territory of Arizona. . Efforts to secede in Efforts to secede in MarylandMaryland were were halted by martial law, while halted by martial law, while DelawareDelaware, though of divided , though of divided loyalty, did not attempt it loyalty, did not attempt it A A Unionist governmentUnionist government in western in western parts of Virginia organized the parts of Virginia organized the new state of new state of West VirginiaWest Virginia which which was admitted to the Union on June was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863 20, 1863

The Southern leaders met in Montgomery, The Southern leaders met in Montgomery, Alabama, to write their constitution. Much of the Alabama, to write their constitution. Much of the Confederate States ConstitutionConfederate States Constitution replicated the replicated the United States ConstitutionUnited States Constitution verbatim, but it verbatim, but it contained several explicit protections of the contained several explicit protections of the institution of slavery including institution of slavery including

provisions for the recognition and protection of provisions for the recognition and protection of negro slavery in any new state admitted to the negro slavery in any new state admitted to the Confederacy. Confederacy.

It maintained the It maintained the existing ban on international slave-tradingexisting ban on international slave-trading while while protecting the protecting the existing internal tradeexisting internal trade of slaves of slaves among slaveholding states among slaveholding states

The Preamble to the The Preamble to the Confederate ConstitutionConfederate Constitution

"We, the people of the "We, the people of the Confederate Confederate States, each state acting in its States, each state acting in its sovereign and independent character,sovereign and independent character, in order to form a in order to form a permanent federal permanent federal governmentgovernment, establish justice, insure , establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity — posterity — invoking the favor and invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty Godguidance of Almighty God — do ordain — do ordain and establish this Constitution for the and establish this Constitution for the ConfederateConfederate States of America States of America

the Confederate Constitution gave the Confederate Constitution gave greater powers to the states (or greater powers to the states (or curtailed the powers of the central curtailed the powers of the central government more) than the U.S. government more) than the U.S. Constitution of the time did, but in Constitution of the time did, but in other areas, the states actually lost other areas, the states actually lost rights they had under the U.S. rights they had under the U.S. Constitution. Constitution.

the Confederate version prohibited the the Confederate version prohibited the central government from using revenues central government from using revenues collected in one state for funding internal collected in one state for funding internal improvements in another state. The improvements in another state. The Confederate Constitution's equivalent to the Confederate Constitution's equivalent to the U.S. Constitution's general welfare clause U.S. Constitution's general welfare clause prohibited protective tariffs (but allowed prohibited protective tariffs (but allowed tariffs for providing domestic revenue), and tariffs for providing domestic revenue), and spoke of "carry[ing] on the Government of spoke of "carry[ing] on the Government of the Confederate States" rather than the Confederate States" rather than providing for the "general welfare" providing for the "general welfare"

The Confederate Constitution did not The Confederate Constitution did not specifically include a provision specifically include a provision allowing states to secede; the allowing states to secede; the Preamble spoke of each state "acting Preamble spoke of each state "acting in its sovereign and independent in its sovereign and independent character" but also of the formation character" but also of the formation of a "permanent federal government of a "permanent federal government

The Montgomery Convention to establish the The Montgomery Convention to establish the Confederacy and its executive met February Confederacy and its executive met February 4, 1861. Each state as a sovereignty had one 4, 1861. Each state as a sovereignty had one vote, with the same delegation size as it held vote, with the same delegation size as it held in the U.S. Congress, and generally 41 to 50 in the U.S. Congress, and generally 41 to 50 members attended. Offices were "provisional", members attended. Offices were "provisional", limited to a term not to exceed one year. One limited to a term not to exceed one year. One name was placed in nomination for president, name was placed in nomination for president, one for vice president. Both were elected one for vice president. Both were elected unanimously, 6–0. unanimously, 6–0.

Jefferson Davis was Jefferson Davis was elected provisional elected provisional president. Although president. Although he had made it he had made it known that he known that he wanted to be wanted to be commander-in-chief commander-in-chief of the Confederate of the Confederate armies, when elected, armies, when elected, he assumed the office he assumed the office of Provisional of Provisional President President

Alexander Stephens was elected Alexander Stephens was elected unanimously provisional Vice unanimously provisional Vice President, though with some President, though with some privately held reservations. privately held reservations. Davis and Stephens were Davis and Stephens were elected President and Vice elected President and Vice President, unopposed on President, unopposed on November 6, 1861. They were November 6, 1861. They were inaugurated on February 22, inaugurated on February 22, 1862.1862.

Davis's cabinet in 1861, Montgomery, AlabamaDavis's cabinet in 1861, Montgomery, Alabama

Front row, left to right: Front row, left to right: Judah P. BenjaminJudah P. Benjamin, , Stephen MalloryStephen Mallory, , Alexander StephensAlexander Stephens, , Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis, , John John HenningerHenninger Reagan Reagan, and , and Robert ToombsRobert ToombsBack row, standing left to right: Back row, standing left to right: Christopher Christopher MemmingerMemminger and and LeRoyLeRoy Pope Walker Pope Walker

The Permanent Constitution provided The Permanent Constitution provided for a President of the Confederate for a President of the Confederate States of America, elected to serve a States of America, elected to serve a six-year term but without the possibility six-year term but without the possibility of re-election. Unlike the United States of re-election. Unlike the United States Constitution, the Confederate Constitution, the Confederate Constitution gave the president the Constitution gave the president the ability to subject a bill to a line item ability to subject a bill to a line item veto, a power also held by some state veto, a power also held by some state governors.governors.

The Permanent Confederate Congress was elected and The Permanent Confederate Congress was elected and began its first session February 18, 1862. The began its first session February 18, 1862. The Permanent Congress for the Confederacy followed the Permanent Congress for the Confederacy followed the United States forms with a bicameral legislature. The United States forms with a bicameral legislature. The Senate had two per state, twenty-six Senators. The Senate had two per state, twenty-six Senators. The House numbered 106 representatives apportioned by House numbered 106 representatives apportioned by free and slave populations within each state. Two free and slave populations within each state. Two Congresses sat in six sessions until March 18, 1865 Congresses sat in six sessions until March 18, 1865

The absence of political parties made individual roll call The absence of political parties made individual roll call voting all the more important, as the Confederate voting all the more important, as the Confederate "freedom of roll-call voting was unprecedented in "freedom of roll-call voting was unprecedented in American legislative history American legislative history

Key issues throughout the Key issues throughout the life of the Confederacylife of the Confederacy

(1) suspension of habeas corpus (1) suspension of habeas corpus (2) military concerns such as control of state (2) military concerns such as control of state militia, conscription and exemption militia, conscription and exemption (3) economic and fiscal policy including (3) economic and fiscal policy including impressment of slaves, goods and scorched impressment of slaves, goods and scorched earth earth (4) support of the Jefferson Davis (4) support of the Jefferson Davis administration in its foreign affairs and administration in its foreign affairs and negotiating peacenegotiating peace

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch

The Confederate Constitution outlined a The Confederate Constitution outlined a judicial branch of the government, but the judicial branch of the government, but the ongoing war and resistance from states-ongoing war and resistance from states-rights advocates, particularly on the question rights advocates, particularly on the question of whether it would have appellate of whether it would have appellate jurisdiction over the state courts, prevented jurisdiction over the state courts, prevented the creation or seating of the "Supreme Court the creation or seating of the "Supreme Court of the Confederate States;" the state courts of the Confederate States;" the state courts generally continued to operate as they had generally continued to operate as they had done, simply recognizing the Confederate done, simply recognizing the Confederate States as the national government States as the national government

Confederate district courts were authorized by Article Confederate district courts were authorized by Article III, Section 1, of the Confederate Constitution, and III, Section 1, of the Confederate Constitution, and President Davis appointed judges within the President Davis appointed judges within the individual states of the Confederate States of individual states of the Confederate States of America. In many cases, the same US Federal District America. In many cases, the same US Federal District Judges were appointed as Confederate States District Judges were appointed as Confederate States District Judges. Confederate district courts began reopening Judges. Confederate district courts began reopening in the spring of 1861 handling many of the same in the spring of 1861 handling many of the same type cases as had been done before. Prize cases, in type cases as had been done before. Prize cases, in which Union ships were captured by the Confederate which Union ships were captured by the Confederate Navy or raiders and sold through court proceedings, Navy or raiders and sold through court proceedings, were heard until the blockade of southern ports were heard until the blockade of southern ports made this impossible made this impossible

After a Sequestration Act was passed After a Sequestration Act was passed by the Confederate Congress, the by the Confederate Congress, the Confederate district courts heard Confederate district courts heard many cases in which enemy aliens many cases in which enemy aliens (typically Northern absentee landlords (typically Northern absentee landlords owning property in the South) had owning property in the South) had their property sequestered (seized) by their property sequestered (seized) by Confederate Receivers Confederate Receivers

When the Confederacy was When the Confederacy was formed and its seceding states formed and its seceding states broke from the Union, it was at broke from the Union, it was at once confronted with the once confronted with the arduous task of providing its arduous task of providing its citizens with a mail delivery citizens with a mail delivery system, and, in the midst of system, and, in the midst of the war, the newly formed the war, the newly formed Confederacy created and Confederacy created and established the Confederate established the Confederate Post Office Post Office

•John H. ReaganPostmaster General

Mail that crossed lines had to be sent by Mail that crossed lines had to be sent by 'Flag of Truce''Flag of Truce' and was allowed to pass at only and was allowed to pass at only two specific points. Mail sent from the South to two specific points. Mail sent from the South to the North states was received, opened and the North states was received, opened and inspected at inspected at Fortress MonroeFortress Monroe on the Virginia on the Virginia coast before being passed on into the U.S. coast before being passed on into the U.S. mail stream. Mail sent from the North to the mail stream. Mail sent from the North to the South passed at South passed at City PointCity Point, also in Virginia, , also in Virginia, where it was also inspected before being sent where it was also inspected before being sent on.on.

Financial InstitutionsFinancial Institutions

Mail delivery was also important for the Mail delivery was also important for the Confederacy for a myriad of business Confederacy for a myriad of business and military reasons. Because of the and military reasons. Because of the Union blockade, basic supplies were Union blockade, basic supplies were always in demand and so getting always in demand and so getting mailed correspondence out of the mailed correspondence out of the country to suppliers was imperative to country to suppliers was imperative to the successful operation of the the successful operation of the Confederacy Confederacy

The Confederacy actively used the army to arrest The Confederacy actively used the army to arrest people suspected of loyalty to the United States. people suspected of loyalty to the United States. Historian Mark Neely found 4,108 names of men Historian Mark Neely found 4,108 names of men arrested and estimated a much larger total. The arrested and estimated a much larger total. The Confederacy arrested pro-Union civilians in the Confederacy arrested pro-Union civilians in the South at about the same rate as the Union South at about the same rate as the Union arrested pro-Confederate civilians in the North. arrested pro-Confederate civilians in the North. Neely concludes:Neely concludes:

The Confederate citizen was not any freer than The Confederate citizen was not any freer than the Union citizen – and perhaps no less likely to the Union citizen – and perhaps no less likely to be arrested by military authorities. In fact, the be arrested by military authorities. In fact, the Confederate citizen may have been in some ways Confederate citizen may have been in some ways less free than his Northern counterpart. For less free than his Northern counterpart. For example, freedom to travel within the example, freedom to travel within the Confederate states was severely limited by a Confederate states was severely limited by a domestic passport systemdomestic passport system

The central government was denied The central government was denied requisitioned soldiers and money by requisitioned soldiers and money by governors and state legislatures because governors and state legislatures because they feared that Richmond would encroach they feared that Richmond would encroach on the rights of the states. Georgia's on the rights of the states. Georgia's governor Joseph Brown warned of a secret governor Joseph Brown warned of a secret conspiracy by Jefferson Davis to destroy conspiracy by Jefferson Davis to destroy states’ rights and individual liberty. The first states’ rights and individual liberty. The first conscription act in North America authorizing conscription act in North America authorizing Davis to draft soldiers was said to be the Davis to draft soldiers was said to be the "essence of military despotism "essence of military despotism

Financial InstitutionsFinancial Institutions

Both the individual Confederate states Both the individual Confederate states and later the Confederate government and later the Confederate government printed CSA dollars as paper currency printed CSA dollars as paper currency in various denominations, much of it in various denominations, much of it signed by the Treasurer Edward C. signed by the Treasurer Edward C. Elmore. During the course of the war Elmore. During the course of the war these severely depreciated and these severely depreciated and eventually became worthlesseventually became worthless

The Confederate government initially wanted The Confederate government initially wanted to finance its war mostly through tariffs on to finance its war mostly through tariffs on imports, export taxes, and voluntary imports, export taxes, and voluntary donations of gold. However, after the donations of gold. However, after the spontaneous imposition of an embargo on spontaneous imposition of an embargo on cotton sales to Europe in 1861, these sources cotton sales to Europe in 1861, these sources of revenue dried up and the Confederacy of revenue dried up and the Confederacy increasingly turned to issuing debt and increasingly turned to issuing debt and printing money to pay for war expenses printing money to pay for war expenses

The Confederate States The Confederate States politicians were worried about politicians were worried about angering the general angering the general population with hard taxes. A population with hard taxes. A tax increase might disillusion tax increase might disillusion many Southerners, so the many Southerners, so the Confederacy resorted to Confederacy resorted to printing more money. As a printing more money. As a result inflation increased and result inflation increased and remained a problem for the remained a problem for the southern states throughout southern states throughout the rest of the war the rest of the war

At the time of their secession, the At the time of their secession, the states (and later the Confederate states (and later the Confederate government) took over the national government) took over the national mints in their territories: the mints in their territories: the Charlotte MintCharlotte Mint in North Carolina, the in North Carolina, the Dahlonega MintDahlonega Mint in Georgia, and the in Georgia, and the New Orleans MintNew Orleans Mint in Louisiana. in Louisiana.

Christopher Memminger (1803–1888), the first Secretary of Treasury of the Confederate States of America