This paper will compare and contrast the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. During the American Civil War, Lincoln served as president of the United States, and Davis served as president of the Southern Confederate States. Over the course of the war, Lincoln proved himself to be the better president. This was not simply because the Union won the war, but also because Lincoln was more capable of leading his government and his people. Davis' failures as a leader were partially due to circumstances beyond his control. For example, the war effort in the South was complicated by economic problems, the lack of support from other nations, and the fact that the North had greater military strength. However, it can also be seen that Davis had weaknesses in his personality as well as in his role as a public figure. Specifically, Davis's pride and arrogance caused him to make many hasty decisions during the course of the war which proved to be detrimental to the Confederacy. These personality traits also prevented Davis from effectively controlling the Confederate Congress and his own administration, as well as the various state governments that made up the South.
Jefferson Davis was raised in a wealthy Southern family. Because of his upbringing, Davis was able to receive an excellent military education at the West Point Academy. By contrast, Abraham Lincoln was raised in a poor Illinois family. Unable to afford an education, Lincoln taught himself to be a lawyer. Both men were great orators, and both entered the field of politics in the years prior to the Civil War. Davis served as a Senator and as Secretary of War under President Pierce. Lincoln 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 felt that they w...