How many people have jumped on a bandwagon with loose wheels? Today, the Confederate battle flag finds itself in the center of much controversy in several states. Most people have jumped on a bandwagon saying, “the Confederate flag is a symbol of racism;” however, it should be viewed as a positive symbol of American history. Therefore, I’m here to ask all of you to look at the Confederate battle flag as a battle flag and a symbol of American history by learning about its history, the representation of the flags colors, why the Confederate flag isn’t a symbol of racism, and why it should not be removed from government buildings, museums, and monuments.
To look at the Confederate flag as a battle flag we need to look at the history of the Civil …show more content…
Reason one, the Confederate battle flag is just a battle flag. It was never even a National flag, so it was never flown over a slave nation and never represented slavery or racism (Mikkelson). Reason two, the Confederate battle flag never flew over slave ships. Nor did the South own or operate slave ships. The English, the Dutch and the Portuguese brought slaves to this country, not the Southern Nation (Lenzini). Reason three, the United states flag flew over a slave nation for 85 years. The North tolerated slavery and acknowledged it as a Division of labor. The North made a vast fortune on slavery and its commodities. It wasn’t until the South decided to leave the Union the North objected because the North knew it couldn’t survive without southern money. And finally, many northern civilians owned slaves prior to, during and even after the War of Northern Aggression. Most Union Generals and staff had slaves a few by name are: William T. Sherman had many slaves that served him until well after the war was over and did not free them until late 1865. U.S. Grant also had several slaves, who were only freed after the 13th amendment in December of 1865. When asked why he didn’t free his slaves earlier, Grant stated “Good help is so hard to come by these days.” Contrarily, Confederate General Robert E. Lee freed his slaves (which he never purchased – they were inherited) in
To look at the Confederate flag as a battle flag we need to look at the history of the Civil …show more content…
Reason one, the Confederate battle flag is just a battle flag. It was never even a National flag, so it was never flown over a slave nation and never represented slavery or racism (Mikkelson). Reason two, the Confederate battle flag never flew over slave ships. Nor did the South own or operate slave ships. The English, the Dutch and the Portuguese brought slaves to this country, not the Southern Nation (Lenzini). Reason three, the United states flag flew over a slave nation for 85 years. The North tolerated slavery and acknowledged it as a Division of labor. The North made a vast fortune on slavery and its commodities. It wasn’t until the South decided to leave the Union the North objected because the North knew it couldn’t survive without southern money. And finally, many northern civilians owned slaves prior to, during and even after the War of Northern Aggression. Most Union Generals and staff had slaves a few by name are: William T. Sherman had many slaves that served him until well after the war was over and did not free them until late 1865. U.S. Grant also had several slaves, who were only freed after the 13th amendment in December of 1865. When asked why he didn’t free his slaves earlier, Grant stated “Good help is so hard to come by these days.” Contrarily, Confederate General Robert E. Lee freed his slaves (which he never purchased – they were inherited) in