On March 11, 1861, delegates from the newly formed Confederate States of America agreed on their own constitution. This marked the beginning of the Confederacy, a separate entity from the United States of America. Jefferson Davis, a prominent figure in the South, was chosen as the President of the Confederacy. He was tasked with leading the Southern states in their fight against the Union during the Civil War.
Jefferson Davis, the half-blind ex-President of the Confederate States of America, leaned on a cane as he hobbled into a federal courthouse. His leadership during the Civil War has been a subject of much debate and controversy. Some view him as a hero fighting for states' rights, while others see him as a traitor to the Union. Regardless of one's perspective, Davis played a significant role in shaping the course of American history during this tumultuous period.
In May 1865, Jefferson Davis, former President of the Confederate States of America, snuck out of his tent wrapped in his wife's shawl—right before Union troops captured him. This event marked the end of the Confederacy and the beginning of Reconstruction in the United States. Davis' capture symbolized the defeat of the Southern states and the reunification of the country under the federal government.
Lawmakers drafted Section 3 of the 14th Amendment as a means to block former Confederate officers who were elected to office. This amendment was a crucial step in ensuring that former Confederate leaders would not regain power in the post-war period. It aimed to prevent those who had supported the Confederacy from holding positions of authority in the reformed United States government.
Just after the Civil War, Union cavalry arrested Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens at the Georgia plantation where he had resided. Stephens, like Davis, was a key figure in the Confederate government and played a significant role in the secession of the Southern states. His arrest was part of the Union's efforts to dismantle the remnants of the Confederacy and bring the seceded states back into the Union.
The legacy of Jefferson Davis and the Confederate States of America continues to be a contentious issue in American history. Some view Davis as a symbol of Southern pride and resistance, while others see him as a symbol of racism and oppression. The debate over Confederate monuments and symbols reflects the ongoing struggle to reconcile the nation's past with its present.
K. Denise Rucker Krepp's Confederate forebear had an Army base named in his honor. She played a role in getting it changed. This anecdote highlights the personal connections that many Americans have to the history of the Confederacy. The renaming of military bases and removal of Confederate symbols are part of a broader effort to address the legacy of slavery and racism in the United States.
I hope this is the last time any of us will feel compelled to write about the mangling of Civil War history by a Republican presidential candidate. The politicization of Civil War history reflects the deep divisions within American society and politics. The ongoing debate over the legacy of the Confederacy underscores the need for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of the nation's past.
How Congress Abolished Slavery and Created a Modern America Winter 2017–18, Vol. 49, no. 4 By Paul Finkelman © 2017 by Paul Finkelman. This article discusses the role of Congress in abolishing slavery and shaping the future of the United States. The passage of the 14th Amendment and other legislative measures marked a turning point in American history, leading to the end of slavery and the establishment of a more inclusive society.
