Civil War Misconceptions Essay

The name Civil War is misleading because the war was not a class struggle, but a sectional combat, having its roots in political, economic, social, and psychological elements. It has been characterized, in the words of William H. Seward, as the “irrepressible conflict.” In another judgment the Civil War was viewed as criminally stupid, an unnecessary bloodletting brought on by arrogant extremists and blundering politicians. Both views accept the fact that in 1861 there existed a situation that, rightly or wrongly, had come to be regarded as insoluble by peaceful means.

take about hundred years later after the Civil War (1861-65) for the United States’ government to pass the Civil Rights Bill in 1964 recognizing the black community’s rights? Basically, the Civil War was about fighting for what kind of labor force was going to prevail. The north represented for a free labor economy while the South fought for the preservation of slavery. As Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor stated that the “wealth and power were not equally distributed in Southern society” (Yamahtta). While a small white proportion owned slaves in the South, the rest contributed in the southern society by maintaining order. In the North, free blacks were an obstacle for whites since they were constantly competing with each other for occupations. As a result, the

Thesis Statement: Three reasons why Confederate monuments or flags should be removed are they lie to themselves (white supremacists) by honoring the hero, even though they know they did wrong, The Nazi flag and the Confederate battle flag were designed by groups that rejected the founding American creed of the Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal, and It was a flag flown by a few regiments in the Civil War but widely popularized later by the Ku Klux Klan.

A revolution signifies a change in the ideals of a society. The Civil War was a very bloody war in american history which was due to the conflicting ideals of the North and the South. The severe conflict pitted "brother against brother" and in the aftermath of the conflict, radical social changes were instituted that changed the United States Constitution forever.

The flag that became so famous because of Robert E. Lee’s army during the Civil War is a reminder of the racial prejudice that Blacks endured, that still remains

Symbolism over substance is the idea that getting rid of the confederate flag will stop racism or change the past, but there is no substance to that, removing the flag won't end racism or change the history. This quote is an example of how the Confederate flag is not just a symbol, “The flag as we know it was born not as a symbol, but as a very practical banner. The commanders of the Confederate army in Virginia (then known as the army of the Potomac) sought a distinctive emblem as an alternative to confederacy's first national flag - the stars and bars – to serve as a battle flag,” (Coski, 2). This quote suggests that the flag isn't supposed to represent racism, it was just suppose to represent the Confederate army in battles. However, some may say that the Confederate flag is a symbol of racism but this is untrue.

The American Civil War was a war against the North and the South during the 1860’s. The Southern removed themselves from the Union. The U.S didn’t allow states to be removed from the Union. The North also wanted to get rid of Slavery but the South wanted African American slaves to help them and work for them. The War started when the army in the South attacked a military base in South Carolina. The American Civil War was the first war that killed thousands of Americans in history. During the Civil War thousands of Americans soldiers died. United States had the most slaves in the world, but after the Civil War slaves weren’t allowed anymore.

There is history to the confederate flag and most people do not know it. I think that part of the reason why people see the flag as a symbol of hate instead of a piece of history is because people do not know all of the history. If people did their research I think the people would know the history of the flag and they would not see it as a racial hate symbol they would see it as a piece of history.

The power that comes from an object or symbol is not inherent. At one point in human history a cross was simply just two sticks laying on top of each other. Humans gave it power by using it and acknowledging it as a symbol. The case is the same with the confederate flag. It is a powerful symbol because of the connotations that humans have given it. The problem is not everyone has the same idea on what the confederate flag stands for. Gene Demby, author of When The ‘Heritage’ In ‘Heritage Not Hate’ Is More Skynyrd Than Stonewall Jackson spoke to multiple people who all have different reasons for liking the flag. Rather than see it as a sign of slavery they connect the flag to their childhood or a memory they have that has literally nothing to do with slavery. Gene’s point is that the flag is significant based on personal heritage and experiences not that of the past. Hugh Howard author of, How the North distorts Civil War history has yet another approach. He doesn’t necessarily debate the meaning of the flag, but does illuminate that most people only have one side of the story when it comes to the reasons for the Civil War. The north was in favor of slavery just as much as the south, yet nobody seems to have a problem with the Union flag. This leads to the conclusion that it isn’t the flag itself that is the problem rather the people who endorse it. Lastly Byron Thomas, author of I am a black South Carolinian Here’s why I support the Confederate flag uses the fact that he is

In The Hill, a top U.S. political magazine, in June 2015, Contributor H. A. Goodman wrote, “The Confederate flag is indeed America 's swastika.” In the same way the Jewish community sees the swastika as a painful reminder of the Holocaust, the African-American community perceives the flag as a reminder of slavery and racial discrimination. The Confederate flag, a relic of the devastating Civil War, has become one of the most controversial and contentious icons in American history. The debate over the flying of the Confederate flag is in regard to the Southern Civil War ideals of slavery and white racial superiority that historians have agreed the flag represents. Supporters of the Confederate flag argue that as a symbol of Southern pride, honor, and character, the flag is a reminder of the South’s distinctive and rich history. Opponents of the flag contend that rather than a symbol of southern bravery, the Confederate flag symbolizes the racist, hateful ideas of the Confederacy. The Confederate flag, a clear symbol of white superiority, prejudice, and slavery, should not be allowed to be perpetuated by the government in a society where those ideals should be long gone.

The problem that has arisen about the Confederate or battle flag is that a man killed a bunch of people and had a Confederate flag in his hand also a lot of people think it is a sense of racism, according to google 43% of Democrats think it is a symbol of racism, while a majority of Republicans 56% think it is a symbol of southern pride, and only 20% say that it is both a symbol of southern pride and racism. I believe that the flag is for southern pride.

Confederate flag/ Confederate battle flag is the most known symbol from the Civil War. The Confederate flag was created to represent the south during the war. The design of the Confederate flag that we know was not the first Confederate flag design. The first design had to be changed due to the confusion with the United States flag during battle. This flag is a very controversial symbol because it represented the south during the war. The war was over slavery, north wanted to end slavery and south wanted to keep slavery. So people put the Confederate flag with slavery and say its racist. This has become a huge issue in the social media and even with the federal government wanting to get rid of it off state building. Certain stores want to

The flag’s purpose was to symbolize the Confederacy and the values they stood for during and after the American Civil War. By 1860, the South was out of ways to hold off the North’s requests and demands to end slavery. Seven states from the South seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. In due time the South and the North were completely separate and were at war. The many versions of the flags were used to signify the South’s stance in the war, which was pro-slavery. Consequently, the Confederate flag(s) were made under the circumstances to support Southern values in 1861 therefore, the flag still maintains the same values. Evidence of the “Confederate flag” supporting white supremacy, and the oppression of blacks can be also found in the organizations affiliated with the aforementioned flag. Organizations such as the infamous Ku Klux Klan, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans were known to utilize the different adaptations of the flag as a valued possession and symbol for the ethics that were behind it. All of the previously mentioned organizations thrive to prolong, promote, and preserve white supremacy, indirectly and directly. During the mid 1950s, the flag was also treated as an indication of protesting against desegregation. To that end, the Confederate flag was utilized as a symbol for many

People fight for the flag with such vigor, which is actually quite commendable. However, the stark dichotomy that we are faced with when we hold the confederacy in comparison to the ideals our country was founded on, well, it does not take a scholar to see their absolute contrast.

The Confederate flag after the civil war went from being viewed as the Confederate states battle flag to a flag representing racism. “This “rebel flag” has been displayed as a symbol of racist defiance by Ku Klux Klansmen and others…” (3). The Confederate flag was always debated if it should be flown over state building and buildings “In 1938, the legislature passed a measure, sponsored by Union County representative John D. Long, that mandated that the Confederate battle flag—along with the U.S. and South Carolina flags—be displayed behind the speaker’s desk in the House Chamber” (4). The debate of whether or not their Confederate flag should be flown over state building has been argued since the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and it was only recently brought back up.