Confederacy

Confederacy commonly refers to the Confederate States of America (CSA), the government and armed forces formed by 11 southern states that seceded from the United States in 1861, at the outset of the American Civil War. The secession reflected disputes over slavery, states’ rights, and regional economic differences, and the Confederacy sought to establish an independent nation based on its own constitutional framework.

Formation and government: After secession, the CSA established its own constitution and government. Jefferson Davis was elected president, and the capital was moved from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia. The government modeled a structure similar to the United States, featuring a president, a bicameral legislature, and a judiciary, but emphasized states’ sovereignty and protections for slavery. The Confederate constitution limited central authority relative to the states and enshrined slavery as a legal and economic institution.

War period: The Confederacy fought the Union from 1861 to 1865. It mobilized military forces across the South and border states and faced a Union blockade and large-scale campaigns. Prominent Confederate generals included Robert E. Lee and other capable commanders who contested key battles and campaigns. The war ended with the dissolution of the Confederate government following military defeats, most notably the surrender of large Confederate forces in 1865 at Appomattox Court House and elsewhere in the following weeks.

End and legacy: The Confederate government ceased to exist in 1865, and the former Confederate states were gradually readmitted to the United States during Reconstruction. The legacy of the Confederacy remains a subject of historical debate and political controversy, related to the defense of slavery, memory, and the symbolism associated with the period.