Montgomery was the first capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
When several Southern states seceded in early 1861, their representatives formed the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama. The city was selected as the provisional capital, and Jefferson Davis was inaugurated there as Confederate president on February 18, 1861.
The Confederate government moved its capital to Richmond, Virginia, in May 1861. Richmond was closer to the main eastern battlefront and had greater industrial and transportation advantages for the Confederacy.
Montgomery is still Alabama’s capital, but it is often confused with Richmond in Civil War questions. Richmond was the later and more famous Confederate capital; Montgomery held the role first and hosted the Confederacy’s initial political organization.