David Blight, is a detailed study of the ways that Americans chose to remember the Civil War during the first fifty years following the conflict. Blight argues that throughout this period Americans used the two expression to remember and give meaning to the war with rhetorical effectiveness throughout the excerpt. Blight accomplishes the main theme of competing memories with different ideals of the Civil War seeking to overcome the issue for reunion. A majority of America’s white community chose to obscure the Civil War’s racial meaning behind a front of attitudes that acclaimed both Northern and Southern soldiers. Later Blight uses the themes of ending the war with a push for national reconciliation to demonstrate how the country’s efforts
In 1865, the Confederate Armies were defeated by the Union Armies, before the civil war the country was divided North and South. Issues included taxes, states rights, and war but the biggest issue was Slavery. This was an issue for the south but had yet been banned by Abraham lincoln in 1863. Although these problems were significant Jefferson believed that in order to have a normal society you must have struggle, '' The tree of liberty must be refreshed by the blood of the patriots''. Also taxes were a problem for farmers because, farmers were payed very little money and when the Government raised the taxes it forced them to fall into debt.
As seen from articles from Confederate Veteran Magazine, the Confederate spirit was upheld throughout the years, mostly by women who felt the need to avenge husbands, brothers, and fathers ' deaths . They did things like erect monuments and statues in honor of heroic Confederate leaders, and taught their version of Civil War history in their schools. Together, many ex Confederates and their supporters formed the southern democratic political party, that upheld the Confederates beliefs and ways of life. Their opposers, the southern republicans, were mercilessly attacked repeatedly by the democrats, in an attempt the avenge the Confederacy. The lost cause split the south
People want to get rid of a chunk of history that is important to us as Americans. As Chip Reid wrote in this CBS News article, “[...] it is heritage and history[...]” This statement has been said before and its value stands. It truly is heritage for people related to fighters from the Civil War, and it is history because, well, it is from the past and important to Americans. Reid also states that “Should living history programs with confederate Reenactors (and their flags) be banned from National Park service sites?”
Revising History The removal of Confederate monuments is a controversial topic in today’s society. Some people view the monuments as a remembrance of American history and honoring the heroic acts performed by the individuals on the battlefield. Other, however, view them as memorials and symbols of hate that were meant to worship or glorify slavery, and want to see them all come down.
Out of all the “Lost Cause” films covered in Jones’ article, The General appears to be the tamest. It doesn’t seem to glorify the Confederacy and besmirch the Union, unlike films such as Birth of a Nation, mainly because it wasn’t focused on either side. The focus of the film was on Johnnie (the protagonist) and his quest to reclaim his train and rescue Annabelle (the love interest). He happens to be a Confederate civilian, but the film never shows him actively supporting Confederate ideals, such as slavery. In addition, he doesn’t try to enlist in the army until Annabelle asks him if he’s going to or not, suggesting that he’s primarily enlisting to please her, rather than to join the cause.
From the beginning of the Civil War, the Union and Confederate soldiers had preconceived notions, yet similar views, about one another. One example was both Secessionists (Confederacy) and Unionists agreed that the war was brought on by a ‘political treachery’ and it was this treachery that governed the military actions of either side, that it shouldn’t have come to war. Throughout the course of the war, the North and South both engaged in actions that were seen as less than noble, and even mentally cruel. One young Union Soldier recalled a late night in which his group heard cowbells in the woods; believing it was just cows roaming around.
There was a politically correct remembrance of the Confederacy in that men felt so strongly about their beliefs they were willing to wage war and die for them, many felt that should be honored. My own understanding of the South’s passion with the Civil War is much like Tony Horwitz, In that the War is so intriguing and interesting because it involves the country I live in and the beliefs that are so passionately felt to this day. Born and raised in California I believed racism to be dead and the surprise I received moving to the panhandle of Texas was discomforting. The Civil War has a unique way of luring
During the Civil War, both Northerners and Southerners debated what the status of African Americans would be after the war. With the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the passing of the 13th amendment in 1865, it became unclear as to where African Americans stood both in government and in society. While neither Northerners nor Southerners perceived enslaved African Americans and whites as equals, Northerners did recognize that African Americans were citizens not property. Northerners did recognize African Americans as citizens, whereas Southerners did not.
Similar to many quarrels dating back before it could even be recorded, a clash of beliefs resulted in the beginning of a war that would recreate the very nation built on the freedom and rights of those who inhabit it. This rather large and groundbreaking ordeal began April 12th of 1861 at the very beginning of the Civil War. A nation had been split in two by conflicted views that would forever hold a place in the descendants of those who fought. These two sides were titled Union and Confederate, two names that would separate like oil and water way beyond their reign. Though they share similarities within flags summarized as a sign of freedom and the fight for what they believed in, it was their convictions that separated one from the other.
Imagine that you are in Virginia, in the year 1861, all around you, you hear screams, cannons, guns firing. Your husband is the one taking part in this battle and you are scared for his life. Your children ask you over and over again, “What’s going on?” and “Why is it so loud?” Except you have no idea what to say because you, yourself does not know what is going on.
The Civil War resulted due to the division and the gradual collapse of the Union between the two sections. It can be argued that both the North and South were distinct regions. However, both regions initially displayed nationalism in various ways at the beginning of the Civil War. Southern nationalism allowed the Confederates to justify their secession and independence. The formation of the Confederacy and the established Confederate Constitution in February 1861, nationalism validated their status as an independent country.
In the end, the argument that oppositions makes that of tearing down confederate statues is wrong because it is erasing history is hypocritical of them because confederate statues were built to erase certain aspect of southern
In Atlanta Ga, Charlottesville Nc, and in every other formerly Confederate State in the U.S. there has been controversial debates on whether or not the current standing Confederate statues should be removed from public areas. Many people claim that a modern society should not honor the racist soldiers who fought for slavery. Others believe that preserving historical accuracy is essential to learning from the mistakes of the past. The opinions of thousands of citizens clash with one another over the debate between offense and information. I believe that it is most beneficial for the majority of people if the current Confederate monuments remain where they are.
In the news today, a continual debate can be found about the significance of Confederate monuments and if they should remain or be removed. Confederate monuments that have been erected throughout the U.S. should be kept because of the preservation of America’s history. For instance, in the article, The Unbearable Lightness of Confederate-Statue Removal, the author lists how slaveholder monuments aren’t the only statues being vandalized, but the Lincoln Memorial and Mount Rushmore are other symbols of U.S. history that some believe need to “blow up” (Murdock). Every historical symbol can have both people who appreciate it and who oppose it. That doesn’t mean that we should tear down all symbols, but
