The Confederate Constitution

Following the election of Abraham Lincoln as President, the Constitution of the Confederate States of America was adopted on March 11, 1861. Southern states had met in Montgomery, Alabama, in February to form the new provisional government until a constitution could be written and approved.The final document closely follows the United States Constitution with a few distinct exceptions. Most of these exceptions deal with states' rights and slavery. 

Representatives from the states of South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, and Florida signed the constitution. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas didn't join the Confederacy until after President Lincoln called for troops to recapture Fort Sumter in April. Southern Missouri and Kentucky had strong factions supporting the Confederacy, although the legitimate government remained with the Union. These two states did have Confederate delegates and congressmen, however.

Today, the final, hand-written document resides at the University of Georgia in Athens. It is 120 years old.

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