Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis Compared

Both manpower were neat orators, and both entered the field of politics in the years anterior to the complaisant fight. Davis served as a Senator and as Secretary of War low President Pierce. capital of Nebr wanta served on the Illinois Legislature and in the House of Representatives. Both men were strong and determined in the careers. In addition, both were known as "courteous, gentle, admirable men" (Buchanan, 1951, p. 12). Both men held strong beliefs and matte that they were fighting for an all important(p) cause. However, Davis and capital of Nebraska held different ideological beliefs which put them at betting odds with one another. Whereas Davis believed in the importance of individual state rights, Lincoln believed that the national government should have power over the states. The two men besides held contrasting beliefs on the issue of slavery. Whereas Davis felt that slavery was an important institution for maintaining the economy of the South, Lincoln felt that slavery was a violation of human rights and that it should be abolished under all circumstances.

In the fall of 1860, Lincoln was elected as President of the United States. A few months later, Davis was elected as President of the Confederate States. At that time, the Confederate States were in the assist of seceding from the Union. It soon became obvious that the North and the South would have to go to struggle in order to settle their differences. Because of the contend, both Davis and Lincoln were able to obtain a great deal of presidential pow

From this, it can again be seen that there were many factors in the Civil War which were beyond Davis's control. Because of this, many people believe that Davis did his best to win the war but that the odds were simply stacked against him. However, it can also be seen that there were many aspects of Davis's private life which caused him to educate mistakes in his career as a public figure. Civil War expert Bruce Catton has claimed that Davis was "a rigid man . . . rarified al roughly to arrogance" (Catton, 1985, p. 203). Despite his strong military background, Davis was not very effective in leading the Southern states through and through the war.

Many historians have claimed that this failure was due to the fact that Davis was " headstrong in office" (Jordan, 1978, p. 118). It is obvious that the unexpected nature of war requires a leader who is extremely flexible. Other historians have claimed that Davis's soak was a detrimental factor in the outcome of the war. Davis believed that he alone knew the right way to get things done. When his followers failed to populate up to his example, Davis told them "just how they were wrong, and his manner did not inspire them to ask if he might be right" (p. 118). As a leader, Davis demanded a great deal from his followers. In this regard, "his intense inscription proved to be both a strength and a weakness; he would not countenance criticism of those in whom he believed and was obstinate about his appointees and policies" (Bowen, 1987, p. 105). Because of Davis's attitude, there was not such(prenominal) unity among his followers. Furthermore, because of his pride, Davis felt that he had to control everything that went on in his administration. Civil War historian Burke Davis has noted that Davis plant it especially hard to delegate authority "in military affairs, a field in which he felt himself most competent" (Davis, 1985, p. 50). Davis felt that he knew the best way to deal out all aspects of military strategy. However, "in the long run his insisten
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