The Confederate States of America had two capitals during its existence: Montgomery, Alabama, and Richmond, Virginia
. Montgomery was the first capital, chosen for its central location within the original seven seceded states
. In February 1861, delegates from six of the seven seceded states met in Montgomery to form the Confederate nation
. There, they wrote a constitution for the Confederate States of America and elected Jefferson Davis as president
. On May 8, 1861, the Confederate capital was moved to Richmond, Virginia, and it remained there until the end of the Civil War
. Richmond was chosen as the capital because Virginia was the South's industrial center, with an industrial output nearly equal to that of all other Confederate states combined
. The Confederacy also hoped the move would consolidate its hold on the state since it had difficulty securing other states bordering the Union
. The Confederate Congress approved the move on May 21 and scheduled to meet in Richmond two months later
. As the war progressed, Richmond became crowded, and prices rose dramatically
. In April 1865, the Confederate government evacuated Richmond, and the government was briefly re-established in Danville, Virginia
