Map Of The 1861 Confederate States Of America Presidential Election

Map created by Walk Like an EgyptianThe map above shows the result of the one and only Presidential election held in the Confederate States of America (CSA) on November 6, 1861. Each state is shown along with the number of electoral college votes it had at the time.

Jefferson Davis was easily elected with 97% of the vote (47,057 votes) and all 109 electoral college votes. His vice-president Alexander Stephens got 3.02% of the popular vote (1,465 votes).

Unlike the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the Confederate States only allowed Presidents to serve for a single six-year term, rather than an unlimited number of 4-year terms as allowed at the time.

Some more interesting details:

• Formation and Context: The Confederate States of America was formed in February 1861 by seven Southern states that seceded from the United States following the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States in 1860. By the time of the election, four additional states had joined the Confederacy.
• Candidates: The election had only one candidate for President, Jefferson Davis, who had been serving as the provisional president since February 1861. His running mate for Vice President was Alexander H. Stephens.
• Election Process: The election process was relatively straightforward since Davis and Stephens were the only candidates. They were elected without opposition.
• Inauguration: Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States on February 22, 1862, in Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy.
• Term and Governance: Davis’s term was set for six years, but the Confederacy dissolved in 1865 following the end of the Civil War, making his term effectively only four years.
• Challenges: Davis’s presidency faced significant challenges, including managing the war effort, dealing with internal political divisions, and handling economic difficulties exacerbated by the Union blockade.

Did the confederacy have political parties?

The Confederate States of America did not have formal political parties like the ones existing in the United States during the same period.

Here are some key points regarding the political structure and environment of the Confederacy:

1. Lack of Formal Parties: The Confederacy did not develop an organized party system. The political environment was more fragmented and less structured compared to the Union, primarily due to the focus on the war effort and the short duration of its existence.
2. Political Factions: While there were no formal political parties, there were different political factions and groups within the Confederate government and society. These factions often had differing views on how to conduct the war, the extent of state versus central government power, and economic policies.
3. Jefferson Davis’s Leadership: Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, faced criticism from various factions. Some leaders and military figures disagreed with his strategies and decisions. The absence of a party structure meant that Davis had to navigate these differences more on a personal and individual basis rather than through party mechanisms.
4. States’ Rights vs. Central Authority: A significant political issue within the Confederacy was the balance between states’ rights and central authority. Many Southern leaders were strong advocates of states’ rights, which sometimes led to conflicts with the need for a centralized war effort and coordination.
5. Congressional Elections: Elections for the Confederate Congress did take place, but these were more about individual candidates and local issues rather than national party platforms. Candidates were often elected based on their personal reputation, local prominence, and stance on specific issues relevant to their constituencies.
6. Regional Loyalties: Loyalties were often more regional and personal rather than ideological. The shared goal of achieving independence from the Union was the primary unifying factor for most Confederate leaders and citizens.

Did all confederate states participate in the election?

No, here are the states that did not vote in the election:

1. Kentucky: Although Kentucky had a Confederate government-in-exile and was represented in the Confederate Congress, it was largely under Union control and did not participate in the election.
2. Missouri: Similar to Kentucky, Missouri had a Confederate government-in-exile and representatives in the Confederate Congress but was predominantly under Union control and did not participate in the election.

How did the electoral process differ between the CSA & USA at the time?

The key differences between how the Confederate States of America (CSA) presidential elections were held compared to United States (US) presidential elections in terms of the franchise, terms, and electoral college votes:

Franchise

CSA Presidential Elections:

• Voting in the CSA was generally limited to white male citizens who were property owners, which why the popular vote totals were so low (48,522 votes cast in 1861 for the CSA vs 4,685,561 votes cast in the US as a whole in 1860).
• The franchise was similar to the early US, with a focus on landowning males, reflecting the agrarian society of the Southern states.

US Presidential Elections:

• By the time of the Civil War, most US states allowed all white male citizens to vote, regardless of property ownership.
• The franchise had gradually expanded from the early years of the republic, where property qualifications were common, to a more inclusive system for white males.

Terms

CSA Presidential Elections:

• The CSA president served a single six-year term with no possibility of re-election.
• This was designed to provide stable leadership without the disruptions of frequent elections and campaigning.

US Presidential Elections:

• The US president serves a four-year term and can be re-elected for additional terms (with a two-term limit established later by the 22nd Amendment in 1951).
• The possibility of re-election encourages accountability to the electorate.

Electoral College Votes

CSA Presidential Elections:

• The CSA adopted a similar system to the US electoral college, but the exact details of the allocation and number of electoral votes were based on the Confederate Congress’s decisions.
• Each state in the Confederacy chose electors who then voted for the president and vice president.

US Presidential Elections:

• The US uses an electoral college system where each state has a number of electors equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress.
• Electors are typically chosen by popular vote within each state, and they then vote for the president and vice president.

Election Process

CSA Presidential Elections:

• The first and only CSA presidential election was largely uncontested, with Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stephens running without any opposition.
• The Confederate Congress played a substantial role in affirming the election.

US Presidential Elections:

• US presidential elections are typically highly contested, involving multiple parties and candidates.
• The election process includes primary elections or caucuses, national conventions, and a general election where the popular vote in each state determines the allocation of electoral votes.

Difference in the size of the electoral college 1860 vs 1861

State	1860 U.S. Electoral Votes	1861 CSA Electoral Votes
Alabama	9	11
Arkansas	4	6
Florida	3	4
Georgia	10	12
Louisiana	6	8
Mississippi	7	9
North Carolina	10	12
South Carolina	8	8
Tennessee	12	13
Texas	4	8
Virginia	15	18
Kentucky	12	–
Missouri	9	–

 

What were other major differences between the Constitutions of the Confederacy and the United States?

The Constitution of the Confederate States of America (CSA), adopted on March 11, 1861, was based on the United States Constitution but included several key differences that reflected the political and ideological priorities of the Confederacy.

Here are the major differences:

Slavery

Confederate States of America (CSA):

• The CSA Constitution explicitly protected the institution of slavery.
• It prohibited any Confederate state or the Confederate Congress from passing any law that would impair the right to own slaves.
• It allowed for the expansion of slavery into new territories acquired by the Confederacy.

United States of America (USA):

• The original U.S. Constitution did not explicitly mention slavery, although it included clauses that recognized and indirectly protected it, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise.
• By the time of the Civil War, the debate over the expansion of slavery into new territories was a major political issue.

States’ Rights and Federal Authority

CSA:

• The CSA Constitution emphasized the sovereignty and independence of each state.
• It limited the central government’s powers, giving more autonomy to individual states.
• The President had a line-item veto, allowing the president to veto specific parts of appropriation bills without rejecting the whole bill.

USA:

• While the U.S. Constitution also recognizes states’ rights, it established a stronger federal government with more centralized powers.
• The U.S. President did not have a line-item veto (although attempts to implement it have occurred over the years).

Amendments and Legislative Process

CSA:

• Amendments to the CSA Constitution could be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or by a convention called by two-thirds of the states.
• Any amendment would become part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures or conventions of two-thirds of the states.

USA:

• Amendments to the U.S. Constitution can be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or by a convention called by two-thirds of the states.
• Amendments must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions.

Economic and Fiscal Provisions

CSA:

• The CSA Constitution prohibited protective tariffs and restricted the use of government funds for internal improvements to facilitate free trade and reduce federal economic intervention.
• It required a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress to approve any appropriation bill or tax increase.

USA:

• The U.S. Constitution allows for tariffs and taxes and does not require a supermajority for their approval.
• The federal government has broader powers to fund and implement internal improvements and infrastructure projects.

Judicial Branch

CSA:

• The Confederate Constitution allowed for the establishment of a Supreme Court but did not mandate it.
• In practice, the CSA never established a Supreme Court, partly due to concerns over states’ rights and central authority.

USA:

• The U.S. Constitution establishes a Supreme Court and allows Congress to create lower federal courts.
• The Supreme Court serves as the highest authority on constitutional interpretation and federal law.

Executive Branch

CSA:

• The President of the CSA had the authority to remove Cabinet members without Senate approval.
• The Vice President had the power to preside over Senate meetings, similar to the U.S., but with potentially more active involvement in legislative processes.

USA:

• The President of the USA requires Senate approval to remove certain high-ranking officials (though this has been a point of contention and legal interpretation over time).
• The Vice President’s role in the Senate is mostly ceremonial, with the power to cast tie-breaking votes.

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