We're having a bit of a conflict in our family. One of us thinks that Jefferson Davis was first, and Washington came directly after. The other is convinced that Jefferson Davis opposed Lincoln in the Civil War. Who is correct?
2007-08-20 14:21:28 · 11 answers · asked by al5645al 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Jefferson was only President of the Confederate States. He was arrested for treason in 1865 but never convicted. He did spend two years in prison though. Washington had already died in 1799.
2007-08-20 14:31:22 · answer #1 · answered by staisil 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jefferson Davis wasn't even born until a good 9 years after George Washington died much less president of anything before him. Jefferon Davis was however the first and only president of the Confederate States of America in it's brief 5 year existance existance from 1861 to 1865 almost 64 years after George Washington's service as president had ended in 1797.
2007-08-21 07:14:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is your whole family high?
Jeff Davis was President of the Confederate States, opposing Abraham Lincoln who was President of the United States. Davis was the Confederacy's one and only president, serving 1861 to 1865.
Lincoln was the 16th US President, serving after James Buchanan and before Andrew Johnson.
George Washington to was the first President, serving 1789 to 1797, succeeded by John Adams.
PS, sorry about the "are you high" bit, it's a tribute to "Fast TImes at Ridgemont High."
2007-08-20 14:31:53 · answer #3 · answered by Bryce 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Get real! Jefferson Davis was the first and only president of the Confederate States of America, when Lincoln was president. Anyone who questions whether he or Washington was first is either playing with you or playing with you. They weren't in the same ballpark, not even in the same league. Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the U.S.
2007-08-20 14:41:22 · answer #4 · answered by x-wil 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why not just look it up? The "other" is right, of course. Jefferson Davis was appointed president of the confederate states during the civil war.
The much maligned "wikipedia" site is very good for resolving arguments like this.
2007-08-20 14:27:38 · answer #5 · answered by Stephen L 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Davis was President of Confederacy in Civil War.
2007-08-20 14:25:01 · answer #6 · answered by tx1942txx 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Both of you. Jefferson Davis was the first (and only) president of the Confederacy (south). Washington was the first president of what is the US as we know it.
2007-08-20 14:53:51 · answer #7 · answered by beth l 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
George Washington was definitely not the first President of the United States. He was the first President of the United States under the Constitution we follow today. Heh... Bare with me here it might interest you.
The United States declared its independence in 1776, yet Washington did not take office until April 30, 1789. Somebody had to be in charge.. There were actually eight presidents before washington. But good like finding them in an encyclopedia. They are "lost to history" as it were.
The new country was actually formed on March 1, 1781 with the adoption of The Articles of Confederation. This document was actually proposed on June 11, 1776, but not agreed upon by Congress until November 15, 1777.
Maryland refused to sign this document until Virginia and New York ceded their western lands (Maryland was afraid that these states would gain too much power in the new government from such large amounts of land). Once the signing took place in 1781, a President was needed to run the country.
John Hanson was chosen unanimously by Congress (which included George Washington). In fact, all the other potential candidates refused to run against him, as he was a major player in the revolution and an extremely influential member of Congress. Seven other presidents were elected after him - Elias Boudinot (1782-83), Thomas Mifflin (1783-84), Richard Henry Lee (1784-85), John Hancock (1785-86), Nathan Gorman (1786-87), Arthur St. Clair (1787-88), and Cyrus Griffin (1788-89) - all prior to Washington taking office. To put it bluntly, the articles of confederation sucked.. They didn't work well, and they left the states with too much individual power, leading to nothing being agreed upon.
The constitution we know today was written just before washington took office.. As a way to "repair" the country.
2007-08-20 14:37:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Goerge Washington is the first oresident after the constitution. Jefforson davis was never an American president but he was the leader of the confederacy during the civil war
2007-08-20 14:27:25 · answer #9 · answered by Gabe K 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Davis was born in 1808, 9 years after Washington died and 19 after he became president.
2007-08-20 14:25:09 · answer #10 · answered by Jonathan D 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋