Jefferson Davis: An Unlikely Leader
The president and former war hero of the South was Jefferson Davis. He was a veteran of the Mexican-American War, and a Southern politician who fought for states rights, but disagreed with secession. He grew up believing in the importance of the institution of slavery in the South. He never really wanted to be president, he wanted to be a general. Unfortunately for him, he was voted the President of the Confederate States of America. He was voted in because of his moderate views and he was known for being a pushover. He chose very good generals, as president, but never really got along with them because he believed he was the best general. He believed that in the Constitution, slavery was written in as okay. "It was one of the compromises of the Constitution that the slave property in the Southern states should be recognized as property throughout the United States."
The president and former war hero of the South was Jefferson Davis. He was a veteran of the Mexican-American War, and a Southern politician who fought for states rights, but disagreed with secession. He grew up believing in the importance of the institution of slavery in the South. He never really wanted to be president, he wanted to be a general. Unfortunately for him, he was voted the President of the Confederate States of America. He was voted in because of his moderate views and he was known for being a pushover. He chose very good generals, as president, but never really got along with them because he believed he was the best general. He believed that in the Constitution, slavery was written in as okay. "It was one of the compromises of the Constitution that the slave property in the Southern states should be recognized as property throughout the United States."
Quotes
-"I worked night and day for twelve years to prevent the war, but I could not. The North was mad and blind, would not let us govern ourselves, and so the war came." -"If the Confederacy fails, there should be written on it's tombstone: Died of a Theory." |
Jefferson Davis During Presidency
Although Jefferson Davis tried many strategies against the well-supplied and more powerful North, he didn't do a very good job at president. The Southern economy was failing during the war, and he just printed more money which led to runaway inflation. Many historians attribute the South's losing to him, because of his feuds with powerful state leader, lack of popular appeal and always neglecting civil matters over military ones. |