Why is Jefferson Davis not given his proper due and respect in U.S. History ?

Question

Is he not a hero ?

Answer 1

And yet again, the failings of the American educational system become glaringly apparent, especially in the post of the person who asked, "who's Jefferson Davis?" Amazing how many people who have responded so far don't know who he is.....simply amazing.

Prior to 1860, Jefferson Davis was a respected Congressman from Mississippi whose opinions and rhetoric was well-respected among his collegues in the Congress. He was also Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce. When Mississippi seceded from the Union, Davis resigned from Congress and returned to his native state. He was appointed President by the representatives of the newly-formed Confederate States of America, and was elected legitimately in the general election held a few months later.

He was faced with an insurmountable and impossible task from the outset - he was tasked with not only getting his government running in all aspects, but with waging a war against the United States at the same time. He had everything going against him and nothing going for him - and the fact that he was stubborn and didn't listen to the members of his own cabinet didn't help him any. But he did the best that he could, believing in the right of the Southern states to secede and form the Confederacy.

It was because he was the leader of the Confederacy, the nation that tried to break away from the United States, that will cause him to be largely forgotten for his efforts in the Congress prior to the war. Instead, he will be remembered only as the president of a failed nation, seen by some as a traitor, and by others as a hero. After the war, Davis was captured and confined at Fortress Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, where he was held on charges of Treason for two years before he was released on bail. It took another two years before the US government dropped all charges against Davis; the Federal government realized finally that they could not make the charges stick, so they dropped them.

I think Davis was a noble, brave, and honorable man, and I most certainly consider him a hero.

Answer 2

It is interesting the misinformation which is accepted for this leader of the Confederate Nation. As is so often the result from the winning side, the winner writes what they will about fallen enemies with little regard to the facts. For example, he never broke the 14th Amendment because it wasn’t enacted until 9 July 1868. (as an interesting side note the 14th Amendment never met Constitutional requirements for ratification, instead it was simply declared as enacted.)

While I do not consider Jefferson Davis as a great leader, compared to President Lincoln, there are a number of things in which they acted similarly. Davis, became a very strong president by moving away from States’ Rights elements in the creating of the Confederacy. However, so did Lincoln. Both Presidents disregarded their Constitutions and protections of individual liberties.

Some facts about President Jefferson Davis may proven interesting. Jefferson Davis (June 3, 1808 - December 6, 1889) was an American statesman who was President of the Confederate States of America, for its entire history from 1861 to 1865 during the American Civil War. Davis was never touched by corruption, but was unable to find a strategy that would defeat the larger, more industrially developed Union. Historians rank him below his war adversary Abraham Lincoln in military, political and diplomatic skills. Davis's insistence on independence even in the face of crushing defeat prolonged the war, and while not exactly disgraced, he was displaced in Southern affection after the war by the leading general, Robert E. Lee. After Davis was captured in 1865, he was held in a Federal prison for two years, then released as the treason charges against him were dropped. The charges were dropped because the best legal minds of the day could not find any cause for treason. Prior to the war, secession was legal and he was the president of a sovereign country.

A West Point graduate, Davis prided himself on the military skills he gained in the Mexican-American War as a colonel of a volunteer regiment, and as U.S. Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce.

Answer 3

In my opinion, Jefferson Davis is definitely a hero. I think the reason he is not given proper due and respect could be the fact that he was part of the Confederate States of America, and Confederate States of America was against the values and beliefs of the Union. This goes back to the Civil War from 1861-1865.

Answer 4

He has been given his proper respect, little. He was an authoritarian who didn't accept criticism or advice. He ran things his way.

What was his way? In spite of having pretty much the pick of West Point at his disposal, the South lost. He was not able to entice the English to side with the South. He could not form a viable economy.

So, if you don't think enough people are lauding him, then I believe he is getting his due.

Answer 5

failed governments' leaders are very rarely remembered as heroes in history. J. Davis was a president of a loosing regime. If the South had won, it would have been different.

Answer 6

History is written by the conquerors, not the conquered. It's a common theme throughout history with any civilization. Rarely do the loser get a say in anything.

Answer 7

Why is it Harvards' Hall of Honor exclude the names of anyone who had not stayed with the Union? Why is it only Southerners have no heritage? When I taught school I always entered his picture into the "Wall of Presidents". I have learned the hard way if you are proud of the Southern soldier, their bravery and honor sadly you're a racist. Thank-you for the question.

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Answer 8

In the end like they say "to the victor go the spoils of war" Those who win write the history and since we live in the United States of America it can be said that anyone who is the leader of a revolt against this great country will be looked upon unfavorably

Answer 9

If someone ever compiles a list of the top ten biggest idiots of all time JD is going to be top of the list..

I wouldn't have left him in control of a kindergarten, yet alone placing the incompetent in charge of a country..

Answer 10

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