Confederacy

Definition

The Confederacy refers to the group of southern states that seceded from the United States between 1860 and 1861, forming their own government known as the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. This political alliance was primarily founded on the defense of slavery and states' rights, leading to a significant and contentious divide in the nation as it fought over issues of autonomy and human rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Confederacy was formed by 11 southern states that seceded from the Union, including South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama, declaring their independence in early 1861.
2. Jefferson Davis was elected as the first and only president of the Confederate States of America, leading a government that emphasized state sovereignty and a commitment to maintaining slavery.
3. The Confederate economy was heavily dependent on agriculture, particularly cotton, which was a key export that helped finance their war efforts against the Union.
4. Major battles of the Civil War, such as Gettysburg and Antietam, involved significant Confederate forces and had lasting impacts on both the South and the overall course of the war.
5. The Confederacy ultimately collapsed in 1865 after key military defeats and loss of resources, leading to the restoration of the Union and significant changes in American society regarding slavery.

Review Questions

• How did the formation of the Confederacy reflect the political and social tensions in the United States during the 1860s?
  • The formation of the Confederacy was a direct response to growing tensions over issues like slavery, states' rights, and federal authority. Southern states felt threatened by the increasing power of anti-slavery sentiments in the North and sought to protect their way of life through secession. This divide not only highlighted deep-seated regional differences but also foreshadowed the violent conflict that would erupt into the Civil War.
• Discuss the economic factors that influenced the Confederacy's ability to sustain itself during the Civil War.
  • The Confederate economy was primarily agrarian, relying heavily on cotton production for both domestic sustenance and international trade. However, this dependency became a weakness when blockades were imposed by Union forces, limiting access to resources. Despite initial hopes that cotton diplomacy would bring support from European nations like Britain and France, those countries found alternative sources for cotton and were hesitant to intervene directly. This economic strain ultimately hampered their war efforts significantly.
• Evaluate how the defeat of the Confederacy impacted post-war reconstruction efforts in the United States.
  • The defeat of the Confederacy marked a significant turning point in American history, as it led to Reconstruction, a period aimed at rebuilding the South and integrating formerly enslaved individuals into society. The collapse of Confederate leadership and military structure necessitated federal intervention to address issues of civil rights, governance, and economic recovery. The policies enacted during Reconstruction faced immense resistance from many former Confederates and laid groundwork for ongoing struggles over race relations and civil rights that would extend well beyond this period.

Related terms

Union: The Union refers to the northern states that remained loyal to the U.S. federal government during the Civil War, opposing the Confederacy.

Secession: Secession is the act of withdrawing formally from an organization or political entity, which in this context refers to southern states leaving the United States.

Civil War: The Civil War was a conflict fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865 between the Union and the Confederacy, primarily over issues related to slavery and state sovereignty.