Notes were issued for the next three years, ending in 1864. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Constitution of the confederate states of america we, the people of the confederate states, each state acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterityinvoking the favor and guidance of almighty goddo ordain and establish this. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading constitution of the confederate states of america. On march 11, 1861, delegates from the newly formed confederate states of america agreed on their own constitution. When the south tried to secede from the united states to form the confederate states of america, each state issued an article of secession. Most of the confederate constitution is the same as the u. On this day, the confederate constitution is approved. In conformity with the original south carolina plan 20, t he provisional con stitution was based on the united states cons titution 21. Which statement about the constitutions of the confederate states of america and the united states is not true. The first notes bore the printed signature of the governor, john gill shorter. Should the confederate flag be removed from all government.
The seceding states met in montgomery at the state capitol to form te confederate states of america on february 4, 1861 alabama first issued state currency on january 1, 1863. Although the constitution of the confederate states of america 1861 largely follows the outline of the u. The confederacys approach to the bill of rights, and specifically the first amendment, is noteworthy. In montgomery, alabama, delegates from south carolina, mississippi, florida, alabama, georgia, louisiana, and texas adopt the permanent constitution of the confederate states of america. The speech explained what the differences were between the constitution of the confederate republic and that of the united states, laid out the confederate causes. The cornerstone speech, also known as the cornerstone address, was delivered extemporaneously by confederate vice president alexander stephens in savannah, georgia on march 21, 1861. The journal of the congress of the confederate states of america, 18611865 was printed in a sevenvolume set between 1904 and 1905 as senate document no. The confederacys approach to the bill of rights, and. The historic american civil war was fought between the confederacy and the union. Confederate states of america, the government of 11 southern states that seceded from the union in 186061, following the election of abraham lincoln as u. Constitution of the confederate states of america kindle edition by provisional government.
The statutes at large of the provisional government of the confederate states of america, from the institution of the government, february 8, 1861, to its termination, february 18, 1862, inclusive. Which statement about the constitutions of the confederate. The confederacy also operated under a provisional constitution from february 8, 1861, to february 22, 1862. For the permanent constitution, see constitution of the confederate states of america, reprinted in statutes at. The predominantly center around the concept that there will be no law enacted to end slavery. Confederate states of america is the author of constitution of the confederate states of america 3. The confederacy or the confederate states of america incorporated 11 states in the southern region that disaffiliated themselves from the union. Alexander hamilton stephens 18121883 served as vice president of the confederate states of america during the civil war 186165. Jul 01, 2005 the confederate states adopted their permanent constitution on march 11, 1861. The confederate states of america s supreme law was the constitution of the confederate states of america csa adopted on march 11, 1861, and in effect through the conclusion of the american civil war. We, the people of the united states, in order to form a.
Constitution of the confederate states of america the first. The documents associated with the government of the confederate states of america provide insight to not only the reasons for secession, but insight to some of the founding principles of the united states government. Constitution of the confederate states of america kindle. The constitution of the confederate states of america. The 1st note from the government of the confederate states of america was issued in april of 1861. In addition to united states congress materials such as the congressional globe, u. Although the united states of america and great britain both abolished the slave trade in 1807, slavery still existed in both the north and south until the middle part of the nineteenth century. Constitution, it differs from it in a number of ways. Uniform and dress of the army of the confederate states. A total of 70 different types were issued into circulation. Also available in digital form on the library of congress web site. There are many nominal differences, including limited the president and vice president to a single sixy.
Almost every confederate note was painstakingly hand signed and numbered. Provisional constitution of the confederate states wikipedia. Constitution of the confederate states of america the. This document followed the same format as the united states constitution and in many cases quoted it verbatim. We, the people of the confederate states, each state acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterityinvoking the favor and guidance of almighty goddo ordain and.
In the months that followed, seven more american states followed suit, slicing the former united states into two clearlydivded rival factions. Full text of constitution of the confederate states of america see other formats state convention. The confederate csa constitution explained, or how to drain the swamp. The montgomery convention that drafted the constitution chose not to create an entirely new document, but instead to copy and revise the united states constitution of 1787. Constitution of the confederate states of america transcription. Read first, second, and third times and engrossed, and unanimously adopted. Pdf the constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861. Confederate states of america constitution for the provisional government 1861 we, the deputies of the sovereign and independent states of south carolina, georgia, florida, alabama, mississippi, and louisiana, invoking the favor of almighty god, do hereby, in behalf of. No person shall be a represen tative, who shall not have attained the age of twentyfive years, and be a citizen of the confederate states, united states of america. The complete constitution of the confederate states of america and the confederate states of america declaration of the immediate causes which induce and justify the secession of south carolina from the federal union. Summarize the distinct characteristics of each colonial region in the settlement and development of british north america, including religious, social, political, and economic differences.
A senate resolution dated january 28, 1904, directed the secretary of war, elihu root, to transmit to the u. We, the people of the confederate states, each state acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity invoking the favor and guidance of almighty god do ordain and establish this constitution for the confederate. The original document, along with many other documents of the confederacy, was found at a train station in 1865 by a wartime correspondent, felix defontaine. The supreme court of the confederate states of america. Oct 24, 2015 it incorporated much of the united states constitution, even integrating the first twelve amendments first ten known as the bill of rights. Constitution of the confederate states of america preamble we, the people of the confederate states, each state acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity invoking the favor and guidance of almighty god do ordain. There had been many woeful misunderstandings between north and south in the years that led up to the civil war, but the most tragic misunderstanding of all was that neither side realized, until it was too late, that the other side was desperately in earnest. Confederate states, shall be allowed to vote for any officer, civil or polit ical, state or federal. Constitution of the confederate states of america by confederate states of america. Jan 06, 20 the confederate states of america s supreme law was the constitution of the confederate states of america csa adopted on march 11, 1861, and in effect through the conclusion of the american civil war.
The slave states of delaware, maryland, virginia, kentucky, and missouri that were adjacent to the free states of the north during the civil war confederate states of america list 11 southern states alabama, arkansas, florida, georgia, north carolina, south carolina, texas, virginia, tennessee, louisiana, and mississippi that seceded from the. Confederate states shall be allowed to vote for any oflscers, civil or political, state or federal. In framing the constitution of the confederate states, the authors adopted, with numerous elisions and additions, the language of the constitution of the united states, and followed the same order of arrangement of articles and sections. The confederate states may acquire new territory, and congress shall have power to legislate and provide governments for the inhabitants of all territory belonging to the confederate states lying without the limits of the several states, and may permit them, at such times and in such manner as it may by law provide, to form states to be. The constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. According to the constitution society, the articles of secession, also known as the ordinances of secession, included the legal language by which the states cut ties with the union. Senate a copy of the journal of the provisional congress and of the 1st and. The constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861 summary the confederate constitution of 1861 has been an important development in american constitutional law. The constitution of the confederate states of america was written when southern states seceded from the union. On december 20, 1860, the south carolina state convention unanimously. The confederate states adopted their permanent constitution on march 11, 1861. The confederate states constitution, formally the constitution of the confederate states of america, was the supreme law of the confederate states, as adopted on march 11, 1861, and in effect from february 22, 1862, through the conclusion of the american civil war. Its drafting by a committee of twelve appointed by the provisional congress began on february 5, 1861. In the midst of the secession of southern states, congress was desperate to reach an agreement in order to avoid a civil war.
The bill of rights constitution of the united states. The confederate states of america american civil war. If america existed today under the confederate constitution, no one would be questioning the constitut. The original document consisted of five vellum sheets pasted together to form a scroll over twelve feet long. Here is a look at this littleknown third constitution that controlled the lives of about 9 million people for a short period of time. Slavery in the confederate constitution abbeville institute. The constitution of the united states preamble we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do. These seven states also known as the confederate states of america laid the foundation of the confederacy during 4 to 9 february 1861 at a meeting held in montgomery, alabama. Confederate states of america declaration of the immediate causes which induce and justify the secession of south carolina from the federal union the people of the state of south carolina, in convention assembled, on the 26th day of april, a. Constitution of the confederate states of america the u. Constitution of the confederate states books of american. Constitution, with notable exceptions, some of which are excerpted here.
A series of resolutions permitting slavery in new western territories south of the missouri compromise line were proposed, but soon after rejected by presidentelect abraham lincoln. United states history and the constitution united state history and the constitution is a required course. In many cases, the reason for secession was based on. Constitution of the provisional government of the confederate. The confederacy was originally formed by seven secessionist slaveholding states south carolina, mississippi, florida, alabama, georgia, louisiana, and texasin the lower south region of the united states, whose economy was. The government established by this constitution is the successor of the provisional government of the confederate states of america, and all the laws passed by the latter shall continue in force until the same shall be repealed or modified. Full text of constitution of the confederate states of. Denmark was the first nation to abolish the slave trade in 1792. In february of 1861, six states seceded from the united states of america and declared themselves independent.
What were the differences between the us constitution and. What was the capital of the confederate states of america. Statutes at large, house journal, and senate journal, this collection also includes the journal of the congress of the confederate states of america, 18611865. Confederate constitution includes reference to god.
Pickett, former diplomatic agent of the confederacy, and transferred by the department of the treasury. What did the constitution of the confederate states of. Full text of constitution of the confederate states of america. Numbers three through twelve were adopted by the states to become the united states u. Confederate states of america collection selected special.
Together with the constitution for the provisional government, and the permanent constitution of the confederate states, and the treaties concluded by the. The constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861. Jun 25, 2015 formed in february 1861, the confederate states of america consisted of 11 southern states that seceded from the united states of america after the election of president abraham lincoln because they believed their lifestyle based on the institution of slavery was threatened. Confederate states of america currency collection and sales. Aug 15, 2014 the confederate constitution was largely the same as the united states constitution, with several notable changes. The provisional constitution of the confederate states of america signed on february 8, 1861, created a compact among six deep south states.
The permanent confederate constitution, signed on march 11, 1861, created a political structure for what became the elevenstate confederate nation. The constitution of the united states national archives. The president had essentially the same duties as the us. These notes were printed on large sheets and then cut. Constitution of the confederate states of america uga libraries. The csa, prior to the constitution s passage, operated under a provisional constitution from february 8, 1861 to march 11, 1861. Constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861 idca. What was the confederate states of america constitution like. The records of the confederate states of america, also known as the pickett papers, were purchased by the united states in 1872 from john t. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned. Confederate states of america the confederate states of america came into existence on 4 february 1861, when delegates from the six deep south states that had departed the federal union by that date south carolina, mississippi, florida, georgia, alabama, and louisiana assembled in montgomery, alabama, to form a southern confederacy. We, the people of the confederate states, each state acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterityinvoking the favor and guidance of almighty goddo ordain and establish this constitution for the confederate states of america. The first few states to join hands in the formation of the confederacy were south carolina, georgia, florida, mississippi, alabama, louisiana, and texas. Under america s first national government, the articles of confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes.
Constitution of the confederate states of america what. The constitution for the confederate states of america. Some of the larger disparities deal with states rights and slavery. The bill of rights on september 25, 1789, congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve proposed amendments to the constitution. Original constitution of the confederate states of america. The confederacy was originally formed by seven secessionist slaveholding statessouth carolina, mississippi, florida, alabama, georgia, louisiana, and texasin the lower south region of the united states, whose economy. They formed a new, rival country known as the confederate states of america. Confederate states of america author of constitution of the. On march 11, 1861, the confederate states of america adopted the confederate states constitution. Confederate states of america quotes author of constitution. The provisional constitution of the confederate states, formally the constitution for the provisional government of the confederate states of america, was an agreement among all seven original states in the confederate states of america that served as its first constitution. Noperson shall be a representative whoshall not have attained the age oftwentjfive years, and be a citizen of the confederate states, andwho shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant ofthatstate in which he shall be chosen.
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