From 1860-1865, he was the president of the Southern Confederate States after their succession from the Union. During this time he struggled to form a solid government for the states to be governed by. From the beginning, he lacked the power necessary for a strong government because the southerners believed in states rights. Aside from being sick, he worked hard with solidating the civil government and carrying out military operations. The truth of the matter is that no one could have pulled it off successfully.