Confederate leaders were key figures in the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. They were primarily associated with the Confederate States of America, a group of southern states that seceded from the Union. Notable leaders included Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, and Robert E. Lee, a prominent general known for his military strategies. These leaders aimed to establish an independent nation based on states' rights and the preservation of slavery. Their decisions and actions significantly influenced the course of the war, ultimately leading to the Confederacy's defeat and the restoration of the Union.