President of the Confederate States

The President of the Confederate States of America was the Head of State and Head of Government of the Confederate States. The only person to hold the office was Jefferson Davis. He was President from February 18, 1861, to May 5, 1865, and his Vice President was Alexander Stephens. Neither the office nor the country were recognized by any foreign government. At the end of the American Civil War, the office ceased to exist.

The Guns of the South
After General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate States to victory during the Second American Revolution, he became the popular choice to succeed Jefferson Davis as President of the Confederate States.

Southern Victory
The President was the executive officer in the Confederate States. From 1867 to 1939, the President was elected every six years and sworn in March 4 of the following year. Originally, the Confederate Constitution limited presidents to one term in office. Burton Mitchel served for almost two full terms because he succeded Wade Hampton V after Hampton's assassination. During Jake Featherston's term in office, a constitutional amendment passed allowing more than one term, and Featherston was easily reelected. There was never another presidential election after 1939.

Upon the Confederacy's defeat at the end of the Second Great War in 1944, and the death of Featherston, Don Partridge became president long enough to officially surrender the country. Once this act was completed, the office of President of the Confederate States ceased to exist.


 * At least one Confederate President was named Lee. However, there are reasons to believe that this person was not Robert E. Lee, who is otherwise the obvious choice. Nor is there any information as to when this President Lee served.