Confederate States of America

Definition

The Confederate States of America (CSA) was a collection of 11 southern states that seceded from the United States in 1860-1861, leading to the American Civil War. It was formed to protect the institution of slavery and the rights of states to govern themselves independently from the federal government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The CSA was formed in 1861 after the election of Abraham Lincoln, who was opposed to the expansion of slavery.
2. The Confederate states included South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
3. The Confederacy's constitution was largely based on the U.S. Constitution but included provisions to protect the institution of slavery.
4. The CSA's first and only president was Jefferson Davis, a former U.S. senator from Mississippi.
5. The Confederate forces were led by renowned military leaders such as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.

Review Questions

• Explain the key reasons why the Confederate states seceded from the United States.
  • The Confederate states seceded from the United States primarily to protect the institution of slavery and the rights of states to govern themselves independently from the federal government. The election of Abraham Lincoln, who was opposed to the expansion of slavery, was a major catalyst for the southern states' decision to withdraw from the Union. The Confederate states believed that the federal government was overstepping its bounds and infringing on the states' rights to self-governance, leading them to form their own separate nation in the form of the Confederate States of America.
• Describe the key features of the Confederate States of America's constitution and government.
  • The Confederate constitution was largely based on the U.S. Constitution but included provisions to explicitly protect the institution of slavery. It granted the Confederate states more autonomy and limited the power of the federal government, reflecting the Confederacy's strong belief in states' rights. The CSA was led by its first and only president, Jefferson Davis, a former U.S. senator from Mississippi. The Confederate forces were commanded by renowned military leaders such as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, who played a significant role in the Confederate's military strategy and operations during the Civil War.
• Analyze the impact of the formation of the Confederate States of America on the outbreak and course of the American Civil War.
  • The formation of the Confederate States of America was a direct catalyst for the outbreak of the American Civil War. The Confederacy's secession from the Union and its determination to protect the institution of slavery led to heightened tensions and a breakdown in negotiations between the North and South. The creation of the CSA as a separate political entity also necessitated a military response from the federal government, as the Union sought to preserve the integrity of the United States. The Confederacy's military leadership, strategy, and resources played a major role in shaping the course and duration of the Civil War, as the Union forces struggled to overcome the Confederate's formidable defenses and ultimately achieve victory.

Related terms

Secession:

The act of formally withdrawing from membership of a political or social organization, such as a state withdrawing from the United States.

Slavery:

The status or condition of a person over whom all or any of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised.

States' Rights:

The political theory that the federal government's power is limited and that the states retain the majority of the governing power.