8th Grade U.S. History - Jefferson Davis Inaugural Address

Brady, Mathew. 1859. United States Senator Jefferson Davis. Photograph. Library of Congress. Available at: https://www.archives.gov/research/civil-war/photos/images/civil-war-151.jpg. National Archives and Records Administration, NAID 528293.

Jefferson Davis's Inaugural Address

Jefferson Davis became the President of the Confederate States of America in February 1861. In his inaugural address, he compared the secession of the southern states to the colonists' revolution against the British. Davis justified the South's "need" to secede and discussed a tentative plan for the future of the seceding states. He claimed that secession was "a necessity, not a choice," and that they had resorted to the remedy of separation. Davis emphasized that going forward, their energies must be directed towards the conduct of their own affairs and the perpetuity of the Confederacy that they had formed.

Introduction

Jefferson Davis, a prominent political figure and statesman from the southern states, was inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States of America in February 1861. In his inaugural address, Davis addressed the reasons behind the secession of the southern states from the Union and outlined the path ahead for the newly formed Confederacy.

Secession as a Revolution

According to Davis, the secession of the southern states was comparable to the American colonists' revolution against British rule. He believed that just as the colonists had the right to determine their own destiny, the southern states also had the right to govern themselves. Davis argued that the Union was originally formed voluntarily and therefore, the states had the right to leave if they felt their interests were not being adequately represented.

Justification for Secession

Davis justified the South's "need" to secede by citing perceived grievances and fears. He claimed that the southern way of life, based on agrarianism and the institution of slavery, was under threat by the increasing industrialization and anti-slavery sentiment in the North. Davis portrayed secession as a defensive measure taken to protect their economic and social systems, as well as the rights of individual states.

A Tentative Plan for the Future

During his inaugural address, Davis outlined a tentative plan for the future of the seceding states. He emphasized the importance of unity among the Confederate states and the need to establish a government that would protect their rights and interests. Davis also stressed the importance of diplomacy in their relationships with foreign nations, highlighting their hope for recognition and support from other countries.

Conclusion

In his inaugural address, Jefferson Davis presented secession as a necessity, driven by the belief that the southern states were facing threats to their way of life and the need to protect their interests. He emphasized the importance of unity and the formation of a strong Confederacy, capable of governing itself and defending its principles. Davis's speech set the stage for the tumultuous years that would follow, as the Confederacy fought to establish its independence during the American Civil War.