What Other US Presidents Might Have Sided With the Confederacy?

Interesting that the 10th President, John Tyler, "His Accidency," a Virginian, sided with the Confederacy and was even a member of the House of Representatives when he died.

I wonder how many of the other presidents, especially the Virginia ones, would have sided with the Confederacy had they still been alive.

What's your thought?

In my opinion, an argument could be made either way for Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.

My first choice would be Monroe due to his Anti-Federalist affiliation. With that said, during his Presidency, there was a concerted push to strengthen national unity, hence the "Era of Good Feelings."

Part of me cannot imagine Jefferson and Madison siding with the Confederacy, as I think they could have envisioned the outcome of secession. However, both expressed at various times their belief that Federal law should not interfere with state's rights. Their writing of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolves gives weight to the argument that both men would have sided with the Confederacy.

What I wonder is, how large of a role their land holdings would have played in making their decision? I would think greatly. What would have happened to Monticello if Jefferson had chosen Union and the South had won? Once each man was out of the White House and back home, I think the decision to remain loyal to the Union would be less likely.

As for the other Virginia born Presidents, Washington and Taylor would have definitely sided with the Union. Washington's policies were nationalistic and Taylor stated he would personally offer to lead the army against secessionists.

For me, Wilson is a hard read. On the surface, I think he would have sided with the Union. However, he was sympathetic to Southerners as President and supported segregation in the Federal government. I do not think a determination as to which side Wilson would have selected can be made based solely on his support of segregation. After all, there were people on both sides of the war who saw blacks as unequal to whites. However, Wilson agreed to the demands of Southern Democrats that the Federal Government stay out of issues regarding race and voting. Which gives me some inclination to think he could have gone either way, depending on which side he felt had the stronger argument.

The most difficult to determine is William Henry Harrison. His push to legalize slavery in certain areas in order to entice settlers to move out west, makes me think he would have been sympathetic to the Southern cause. However, the Whigs hoped that as President, Harrison would support Henry Clay's American System, which was not popular in the South and would have expanded the Federal government. Since Harrison was President for only 32 days, it is difficult to determine which side he would have selected.

This was an interesting question to ponder and it would be interesting to see what other conclusions people reach regarding this topic.

** The Wikipedia bio page for each Virginia born President was referenced to compose this post.

Chuck

Washington would not. Madison would not. Jackson would not. Jefferson maybe. Monroe, don't know. Buchanan no. Polk no. Pierce probably. Harrison who knows. Adams and Adams, probably not. Taylor maybe. Fillmore would probably have supported both sides.

John Tyler, 10th President of the US of A......Did you know that his Grandsons are still alive? There was an article in the paper here the other day about that fact.