Comparison of the two Civil War Presidents

Jefferson Davis v.

Abraham Lincoln

BackgroundBorn in Kentucky (cotton plantation)Family of 10Attended Military Academy at West PointMarried the daughter of Zachary Taylor2 brothers fought under Jackson at the Battle

of New OrleansCotton planter

Jefferson Davis CSA President

Commander in Chief of the Confederate army-elected to a 6 year term; served 4

In Black Hawk WarColonel in the US army during Mexican-

American WarSecretary of War (US under Pierce)US Senator (from MS)

-resigned when MS seceded

Jefferson Davis CSA President

Political/Military Duties

Interesting FactsWhen Davis was captured he was charged

with treason. He was never put on trial for it, but he was stripped of his ability to run for office.

89 years after he died, Jimmy Carter and Congress removed this limitation in 1978.

Jefferson Davis CSA President

BackgroundBorn in Kentucky (very poor)Mother died when he was 104 sons; only 1 lived into adulthoodDebates vs. Stephen A. Douglas

Lost election but it put him on the map

Abraham Lincoln USA President

Thought secession was illegal; use force to defend law and the Union

Commander in Chief of the Union armyIssued Emancipation ProclamationGave Gettysburg AddressShot 5 days after CSA surrendered

Abraham Lincoln USA President

Political/Military Duties

Abraham Lincoln USA President

From the Gettysburg Address”. . . that we here highly resolve that these

dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Abraham Lincoln USA President

From the Gettysburg Address”. . . that we here highly resolve that these

dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

The Civil War A Nation Divided

It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we would grow too fond of it.

Robert E. Lee

(1807 - 1870), Statement at the Battle of Fredericksburg (13th December 1862)

The Civil War A Nation Divided

The End