When the two countries split and became the Confederate states of America and the Union, Jefferson Davis was president of the confederate, and Abraham Lincoln was president of the union, so why is it when we learn in history class or look at a list of presidents Jefferson Davis isn't listed? Is this just a "the victors of war write the history of war" type thing or is there a legit reason behind this? The union wasn't the United states at the time.. ? I'm just confused on the subject and would like some input / clarity! Thanks!
He was never President of the United States. The Union was still the United States, I am unsure where you got the idea that it ceased to be for the duration of the Civil War.
As /u/PrincessAnika points out, he was never President of the United States. Nor did he claim that title, for that matter. He was President of the Confederate States of America, a different political entity with a different flag, capital, constitution, military, et cetera. The Confederates wanted to secede - separate - from the United States, not take it over (an entirely unrealistic notion). Even if they had succeeded and the CSA remained an entity to this day, Davis would be listed as the first president of the CSA rather than another president of the USA.
The Union is another name for the United States, just like the Confederacy is another name for the Confederate States. Davis was only elected President of the Confederate States of America, which claimed to be a separate country from the United States of America.