The Confederacy, formally known as the Confederate States of America, was a political entity formed by eleven southern states that seceded from the United States between 1860 and 1861, primarily to preserve the institution of slavery and assert states' rights.
In the context of AP US History (APUSH), understanding the Confederacy is crucial for comprehending the causes, events, and aftermath of the American Civil War. It represents a pivotal period of national division and conflict that fundamentally reshaped the United States.
Formation and Secession
The formation of the Confederacy was a direct response to growing sectional tensions, particularly over the expansion of slavery into new territories. Following the election of Abraham Lincoln, an anti-slavery Republican, as president in November 1860, southern states believed their way of life and economic system, heavily reliant on slave labor, were under existential threat.
The secession movement began with South Carolina in December 1860, followed by six other Deep South states by February 1861. These initial seven states formed the Confederate States of America. After the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861, four more Upper South states joined, bringing the total to eleven.
Key Seceding States and Dates:
| State | Secession Date |
|---|---|
| South 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 |
| Virginia | April 17, 1861 |
| Arkansas | May 6, 1861 |
| North Carolina | May 20, 1861 |
| Tennessee | June 8, 1861 |
Note: While Missouri and Kentucky had pro-Confederate factions and were contested, they officially remained in the Union, though both had Confederate shadow governments.
Core Principles and Goals
The Confederacy's foundational principles revolved around:
- States' Rights: Confederates argued for the sovereignty of individual states over the federal government, asserting the right to nullify federal laws and ultimately to secede from the Union. This was a long-standing political debate intensified by the slavery issue.
- Protection of Slavery: The preservation and expansion of slavery was the primary underlying cause of secession and the Confederacy's existence. Their constitution explicitly protected slavery and prohibited any laws denying the right to own slaves.
- Self-Determination: The desire for a separate nation where their unique social and economic institutions, especially slavery, could thrive without interference from a federal government perceived as hostile.
Government and Leadership
The Confederate government was modeled closely after the U.S. Constitution but included key differences that reflected its emphasis on states' rights and slavery.
- President: Jefferson Davis, a former U.S. Senator from Mississippi, served as the sole President of the Confederacy.
- Capital: Initially Montgomery, Alabama, but later moved to Richmond, Virginia, due to its strategic location and symbolic importance.
- Military Leadership: Prominent generals like Robert E. Lee became iconic figures in Confederate military history.
The Confederacy in the Civil War
The Confederacy's existence was defined by the American Civil War (1861-1865). They fought a defensive war, aiming to protect their territory and gain international recognition. Despite early military successes and determined resistance, the Confederacy faced significant disadvantages:
- Economic Disparity: The Union had a much larger industrial base, greater financial resources, and a more extensive railroad network.
- Population Difference: The North had a significantly larger population, providing a greater pool for military recruitment.
- Naval Blockade: The Union's Anaconda Plan effectively blockaded Southern ports, limiting trade and access to vital supplies.
The Confederacy ultimately surrendered in April 1865, with the surrender of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House marking the effective end of the Confederate States of America.
Legacy and APUSH Significance
For APUSH students, the Confederacy is a critical topic that encapsulates:
- Causes of the Civil War: Highlighting the deep-seated divisions over slavery, states' rights, and economic differences.
- Wartime Strategies: Understanding the military campaigns and leadership on both sides.
- Impact on American Identity: The war and the Confederacy's defeat solidified the concept of a single, indivisible United States and led to the abolition of slavery.
- Reconstruction Era: The challenges of reintegrating the former Confederate states into the Union.
Understanding the Confederacy is essential for grasping the profound transformation the United States underwent during the mid-19th century, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.
