Vice President of the Confederate States of America facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vice President of the Confederate States
Seal of the Confederate States
Alexander H. Stephens
Style	The Honorable
Residence	Court End
Appointer	Electoral College
Formation	February 18, 1861
First holder	Alexander H. Stephens
Final holder	Alexander H. Stephens
Abolished	May 5, 1865

The Vice President of the Confederate States was an important leader in the government of the Confederate States of America. This person was the second-highest official, working closely with the President.

Only one person ever held this job: Alexander H. Stephens from Georgia. He served with President Jefferson Davis from Mississippi. Their time in office started on February 18, 1861, and ended when the Confederacy dissolved on May 5, 1865.

At first, they were chosen by a special group called the Provisional Confederate States Congress. Later, they won an election on November 6, 1861, without anyone running against them. They officially started their full terms on February 22, 1862.

About the Vice President's Job

The job of the Confederate Vice President was very similar to the Vice President of the United States. Both roles were set up in their country's constitutions.

How the Vice President Was Chosen

The Vice President was chosen by an Electoral College. This group was much like the one used in the United States. People in the Electoral College had to vote for one person who was not from their own state.

If no candidate won enough votes, the Confederate Senate would choose the Vice President. They would pick from the top two candidates. To be Vice President, a person had to be born in the Confederacy. Or, they could be born in the U.S. before December 20, 1860, and have lived in the Confederacy for over 14 years.

Key Differences from the U.S. Vice President

One main difference was the length of the term. The Confederate Vice President served for six years. The Confederate President could not run for a second term. However, the Vice President could. It was not clear if a Vice President who became President during a term could then run for a full term later.

What the Vice President Did

The Vice President's main job was to lead the Confederate Senate. If there was a tie vote in the Senate, the Vice President would cast the deciding vote. This is similar to what the U.S. Vice President does in the U.S. Senate.

The Vice President was also next in line to become President. If the President died, quit, or was removed from office, the Vice President would take over. This never happened during the Confederacy's existence.

During his time in office, Alexander H. Stephens and President Davis often disagreed. Stephens spent less and less time in Richmond, the Confederate capital. He tried to keep talking with the U.S. government. He hoped to find a way to end the war peacefully. President Davis sent him to a meeting called the Hampton Roads peace conference to represent the Confederacy.

List of Vice Presidents

No.	Portrait	Vice President		State	Term of office	Party	Term	Previous office	President
1			Alexander H. Stephens	Georgia	February 18, 1861 – May 5, 1865	Democrat	1 (1861)	U.S. Representative for Georgia		Jefferson Davis

See also

• Congress of the Confederate States
• Postage stamps and postal history of the Confederate States
• President of the Confederate States of America
• Treatment of slaves in the United States