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. Flag of the confederate states of america third and final version, from march 1865 onwards. Its actions were for the most part concerned with measures to establish a new national government for the southern revolution, and to prosecute a war that had to be sustained throughout the existence of the confederacy. Journal of the congress of the confederate states of america, 18611865, s. We, the sons of confederate veterans, having been commissioned by the confederate veterans themselves, retain our responsibility and right to adhere to the founding principles of the united states of america remembering the bravery, defending the. Articles of confederation and constitution addressed a essay. Which they resolved, should be laid before the united states in congress assembled. Stolicki and others published the constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861 find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The confederate states of america, or simply known as the confederacy, was a breakaway republic formed by slaveholding states in 1861. For studies of the confederate states of america, this is a good read. Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and press, and the right to assemble peaceably and petition.
Confederate constitution includes reference to god. The constitution of the confederate states of america was the supreme law of the confederate states of america, as adopted on march 11, 1861, and in effect through the conclusion of the american civil war. 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 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 the. Constitution of the confederate states of america kindle edition by provisional government. The constitution of the united states open library. The confederate states constitution, formally the constitution of the confederate states of america. The text of the csa constitution was verified at the university of oklahoma and the library of congress and was marked up for web display by steve mount. 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. The constitution of the confederate states of america was written when southern states seceded from the union.
Click to see the fact file below for more information on the confederate states or alternatively, you can download our 22 page confederate states worksheet pack. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading constitution of the confederate states of america. Permanent constitution of the confederate states of america, adopted by the confederate congress. Constitution of the confederate states of america under god in the ourselves and our posterityinvoking the favor and guidance of almighty god do ordain and establish this constitution for the confederate states of america.
The document consists of five vellum sheets pasted together and rolled, signed by howell cobb, president of the congress and delegates from alabama, florida, georgia, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, and texas. Constitution of the confederate states of america, which was unanimously adopted by the confederate congress on march 11, 1861. The constitution or frame of government, for the united states of america. Constitution, it differs from it in a number of ways. The text in bold can be used to compare this preamble with. The first few states to join hands in the formation of the confederacy were south carolina, georgia, florida, mississippi, alabama, louisiana, and texas. Constitution of the confederate states of america kindle. Permanent constitution of the confederate states of america, adopted by the confederate congress by confederate states of america. When the southern states seceded from the union they adopted a constitution. The historic american civil war was fought between the confederacy and the union. Powers that are not specifically granted to the national government are to be retained by the states and people. We, the people of the confederate states, each state acting in its sovereign. The confederacy also operated under a provisional constitution from february 8.
By confederate states constitution of the confederate states of america by confederate states adopted on march 11, 1861, the constitution of the confederate states of america was the supreme law of the southern states during the american civil war. 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 confederate states congress was both the provisional and permanent legislative assembly of the confederate states of america that existed from 1861 to 1865. Personal experiences in the united states and confederate states armies a railroad. The confederacy or the confederate states of america incorporated 11 states in the southern region that disaffiliated themselves from the union. Some of the larger disparities deal with states rights and slavery. It was dissolved after the defeat of its armies in the american civil war in 1865. The constitution of the united states national archives.
The constitution of the united states of america and the constitution of the confederate states of america by constitutional convention, the confederate provisional congress accessibility books library as well as its powerful features, including thousands and thousands of title from favorite author, along with the capability to read or download. Avalon home document collections ancient 4000bce 399 medieval 400 99 15 th century 1400 1499 16 th century 1500 1599 17 th century 1600 1699 18 th century 1700 1799 19 th century 1800 1899 20 th century 1900 1999 21 st century 2000 constitution of the confederate states. Constitution of the provisional government of the confederate states of america. The constitution for the confederate states of america was the supreme law of the confederate states of america. The confederate states of americas 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.
Preamble constitution of the confederate states of. Confederate constitution search avalon th document. The constitution of the confederate states of america, the ordinances of the texas convention, and an address to the people of texas. Hear and read the text of the preamble to the constitution of the confederate states of america. Confederate states, shall be allowed to vote for any officer, civil or polit ical, state or federal. 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. Although the constitution of the confederate states of america 1861 largely follows the outline of the u. In addition, the constitution cured a number of weaknesses in the articles of confederation by giving powers, rights and divisions to the federal government, as well as providing a. The constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861. The confederate constitution was largely the same as the united states constitution, with several notable changes.
The treatymaking power under the constitution of the confederate. Constitution of the confederate states of america, which. One of 100 copies ordered to be printed of the final draft of the confederate constitution, this copy was printed for the use of the committee on. The csa, prior to the constitutions passage, operated under a provisional constitution from february 8, 1861 to march 11, 1861. The constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. On march 11, 1861, the confederate states of america adopted the confederate states constitution. 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. Permanent constitution of the confederate states of. The following is the complete text of the constitution of the confederate states of america, as adopted on march 11, 1861. It was completed on march 11, 1861, with its adoption by the constitutional convention in montgomery, alabama, and was later ratified by.
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 these states, ordain and establish this constitution for the provisional government of the same. Constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861. Americas founding documents the constution of the united states this item can be viewed on the americas founding documents site. What was the confederate states of america constitution. Constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861 idca. The teaching with documents online lesson plan, constitutionworkshop, features this item. The constitution of the united states as a printable pdf file. One mans selfless quest to rewrite the constitution of the united states of america the united states cookbook. Fabulous foods and fascinating facts from all 50 states advance and retreat.
In this first systematic analysis of the confederate constitution, derosa sheds new light on the constitutional principles of the csa within the. The university of georgia has the original handwritten copies in its archives. Constitution, with notable exceptions, some of which are excerpted here. 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. Confederate states of america collection selected special.
Confederate states of america constitution admin 20190815t19. 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 ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america. Original constitution of the confederate states of america. The enumeration, in the constitution, of certain rights shall not beconstrued to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Also available in digital form on the library of congress web site. The confederacys approach to the bill of rights, and. Under americas first national government, the articles of confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. Articles of confederation and constitution constitution addressed a number of complaints listed in the declaration of independence against great britains king.
Read first, second, and third times and engrossed, and. The amendments to the constitution charter for compassion. Publication date 1861 topics confederate states of america. Introduction constitution of texas 1861 tarlton law. Constitution of the confederate states of america by confederate states of america.
If america existed today under the confederate constitution, no one would be questioning the constitut. This document followed the same format as the united states constitution and in many cases quoted it verbatim. We, the people of the united states, in order to form a more per. Pdf the constitution of the confederate states of america, 1861. The constitution of the confederate states of america. Home alabama textual materials collection constitution of the confederate states of america, which was unanimously. The collection consists of the original signed manuscript of the permanent constitution of the confederate states of america, adopted on march 11, 1861.
Constitution of the provisional government of the confederate states. The writers of this document, of course, had the u. The constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the. Confederate states of america constitution and laws ebay. Constitution as a guide and most of them had been heavily involved in the government before the separation of the states. The confederate constitution of 1861 has been an important development in american. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. March 11, 1861 preamble article i article ii article iii article iv article v article vi article vii.