Do you know the meaning of the confederate flag? This article covers the Confederacy, the Civil War, and the places in which this flag is seen today.
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Kevin
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February 4, 2022
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Common Questions
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The Confederate flag is commonly seen displayed in the American South. This flag was first used by the Confederate states during the American Civil War.
This flag continues to be used today at a symbol of Southern pride and heritage. However, it also comes with its fair share of controversy. Read to learn more about the Confederate flad and how it’s seen today.
What Does the Confederate Flag Mean?
Since Southern states were fighting to retain the right to have enslaved people during the Civil War, the Confederate flag can be seen as a symbol of racism, white supremacy, and oppression toward Black Americans.
There are two versions of the Confederate flag, according to Britannica. The first contains seven white stars in a blue rectangle in the upper left-hand corner of the flag. The background of the flag has three alternating stripes in red and white.
However, the most famous version of the design is the Southern Cross Confederate flag or the Confederate Battle Flag. This flag has a red background with a blue X in the middle, bordered in white. There are thirteen white stars on the blue crossed lines. This is the flag that is commonly seen in the present day. This flag is also called the Stainless Banner.
The flag has regained popularity in recent years and has become associated with conservatism and the Republican party. Organizations like the Sons of Confederate Veterans adopted the flag as a symbol of Southern heritage. Still, it has also been co-opted as a symbol of slavery and hate by white supremacists. Nowadays, you might see this flag on t-shirts at conservative rallies or displayed prominently in the South.
Why Is There Controversy Surrounding the Confederate Flag Today?
Since the Confederate flag was a symbol of the Confederacy — the states who wanted to keep slavery — this flag can be seen as a symbol of white supremacy, hate, and oppression. It reminds many people of a time when slavery was embraced.
Although progress was made during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s in legislation such as Brown vs. Board of Education, the end of segregation, and progress toward racial equality, America still has a long way to go in the fight for equality.
Seeing this oppressive symbol in government buildings and around cities can trigger African Americans and those who oppose racism. The Ku Klux Klan has also used this flag as a hate symbol.
What Is the History of the Confederate Flag?
The Confederate flag began as a simple design in the year 1861. At Fort Sumter, the Confederate army flew the Bonnie Blue Flag, a flag consisting of a blue background with one white star. Then, the flag was redesigned into the “stars and bars” design.
From a distance, it was very difficult to tell this flag apart from the standard flag of the United States of America. Therefore, General Pierre Beauregard commissioned a new battle flag design by William Porcher Miles. This design used the same basic design elements arranged into an X known as the Southern Cross. This flag was further popularized by the Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee.
Which States Were a Part of the Confederacy?
During the Civil War, the United States of America was divided into the Union States and the Confederate States of America. The Union was made up of the states of New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ohio, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, California, Oregon, and Nevada under Abraham Lincoln, according to the National Parks Service.
The Confederacy was under the leadership of Jefferson Davis and included the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.
There were also border states that were considered neither Union nor Confederacy. These states included Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Missouri.
How Many People Died in the Civil War?
Numerous battles were fought during the Civil War. This was a trying time for the citizens of the United States of America, and many people were lost in battle. There were several devastating battles during the Civil War. Below are the top five battles which caused the most deaths in the Civil War:
- Gettysburg: 51,116 casualties
- Chickamauga: 34,624 casualties
- Antietam: 22,726 casualties
- Chancellorsville: 29,609 casualties
- Seven Days: 36,463 casualties
In the span of the Civil War, over 600,000 Union army members and over 450,000 Confederate army members were casualties of battle. These include not only those who were killed in battle, but also those who were wounded in action, prisoners of war, and those who succumbed to diseases during the war.
It may seem confusing that the Union army had so many more casualties than the Confederate army and still won the war. However, the Confederate army had roughly 750,000 to 1.2 million members when the war began. On the other hand, the Union army had over 2.6 million members. This enlistment strength was a major factor in their ability to defeat the Confederacy. While there were devastating losses on both ends, the Union won at the end of the day.
Conclusion
The confederate flag is seen by some as a symbol of Southern pride and heritage. It is seen by others as a symbol of racism and hated in the United States of America. Overall, the Confederate flag was a symbol of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and Confederate national flags are still prevalent in Southern states and used by white Southerners. Be conscious of the history of this flag before choosing to display it.
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