Davis: leadership and challenges

Question 1

What political and military experience did Davis have before 1861?

Answer 1

Mexican American war veteran

Senator for Mississippi

Secretary of War under Pierce 1853-57

Question 2

What constitutional constraints limited Davis’ power as Confederate President?

Answer 2

Confederate Constitution emphasised states’ rights

Governors (especially Brown and Vance) opposed Davis’ policies

Confederate Supreme Court never established

Question 3

What was Davis’ leadership style?

Answer 3

Micromanaged military affairs, often inflexible, badly delegated authority, struggled with inspiring civilian morale

Question 4

What were Davis’ key economic challenges?

Answer 4

91% of industrial production remained in the Union

Naval blockade

Hyperinflation (9000% by 1865)

Question 5

How did Davis handle his relationship with Confederate generals?

Answer 5

Close relationship with Lee

Personal feuds with Beauregard

Struggled to coordinate Western Theatre generals

Appointed Bragg despite unpopularity

Question 6

How did Davis address Confederate manpower shortage?

Answer 6

First Conscription Act 1862

Extended draft ranges (17-50 by 1865)

Failed to effectively use slave labour

Question 7

What were Davis’ major strategic errors?

Answer 7

Defensive strategy- didn’t focus on destroying Union armies

Prioritised Eastern theatre

Failed to develop coherent naval strategy

Question 8

How did Davis respond to the 1863 ‘bread riots’ and civilian hardship?

Answer 8

Personally confronted Richmond bread rioters

Unable to resolve transportation bottlenecks for food distribution

No systematic welfare, relied on voluntary charity

Question 9

What was Davis’ relationship with the Confederate Congress?

Answer 9

Growing opposition in Second Congress 1864-65

Congress refused to suspend habeas corpus after 1862

No effective party system to organise legislative support