Where was the Civil War fought? The Confederate States of America, comprised of 11 southern states that formally withdrew from the Union, found themselves in conflict with the Union. Shortly after the Confederate States of America was formed, Abraham Lincoln was elected president.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
The election of Abraham Lincoln was labeled as an act of war by some southern politicians. This led to speculation that the Union armies would come to seize and force white women to marry black men. Secession meetings started to appear across the South, and Southern politicians began to procure weaponry. Some secessionists even proposed kidnapping Lincoln.
SECESSION
In February 1861, seven southern states succeeded from the Union. These states, including South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, formed the Confederate States of America. Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis was elected Confederate president, and ex-Georgia governor congressmen, Alexander H. Stephens, became vice-president of the Confederate States of America.
CONFEDERATE CONSTITUTION
In February 1861, the Confederacy was based on the U.S Constitution, with a few changes. The Confederate Constitution stated that a Confederate president will serve six years but cannot be reelected. The Confederacy still allowed slavery but not the African slave trade.
CONFEDERATE ENLISTMENT
The Confederate enlistment process sought to recruit soldiers for the army. The recruiters offered a $50 bounty for enlistment and encouraged individuals to volunteer.
CIVIL WAR BEGINS
On April 12, 1861, at Fort Sumter, Confederate forces fired shots at the fort and Union troops surrendered, sparking the Civil War. In May, Davis made Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital.
CONFEDERATE ARIZONA
The Arizona Territory voted to join the Confederacy in March 1861. However, it wasn't until 1862 that the territorial government formally proclaimed it a part of the Confederate States of America. In 1863, the Confederate forces were removed from the Arizona territory, which was now claimed by the Union.
COLORADO
MARTIAL LAW AND MANDATORY SERVICE
The Confederate States of America faced challenges with properly arming troops and getting supplies to them. The brief one-year enlistments also caused problems because as the war continued, the number of people volunteering decreased. In 1862, the Confederacy enacted conscription, forcing men between 18 and 35 into the military.
A SHORTAGE OF MEN
On March 13, 1865, the Confederacy allowed free and enslaved blacks to fight during the war due to a shortage of white workers, leading to a desperate situation for the Confederacy.
CONFEDERACY IN CHAOS
During the war, state governors constantly found themselves in conflict with Davis about state rights. The military had problems with the enlisted troops, noting that some would go to the countryside and rob civilians, while others would round up the civilian population, causing further chaos.
