#SouthernHeritage 🌟 #ConfederateGenerals 🎩 #AmericanHistory 🇺🇸
Have you ever wondered why so many American southerners hold Confederate generals in such high regard, despite the Confederacy’s short-lived existence and controversial history? Let’s dive into the reasons behind this deep-rooted passion and explore the complexities of Southern heritage.
##Understanding Historical Context
The American Civil War, which took place from 1861 to 1865, was a pivotal moment in United States history. The Confederacy, comprised of 11 southern states that seceded from the Union, fought to preserve the institution of slavery. Despite its defeat, the Confederacy left a lasting impact on Southern culture and identity.
###Legacy of Confederate Generals
Confederate generals such as Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and J.E.B. Stuart are often viewed as symbols of Southern pride and resilience. Their military leadership and bravery in battle have been romanticized and celebrated by many in the South.
###Cultural Significance
For some southerners, honoring Confederate generals is a way to preserve their heritage and traditions. The South has a rich history and distinct cultural identity that is deeply intertwined with the memory of the Civil War.
##Complex Emotions and Perspectives
The issue of Confederate heritage is a complex and sensitive topic that evokes strong emotions on both sides. While some see Confederate generals as heroes defending their way of life, others view them as symbols of oppression and bigotry.
###Generational Influence
Family traditions and upbringing play a significant role in shaping individuals’ attitudes towards Confederate generals. For many southerners, honoring their ancestors who fought in the Civil War is a way to connect with their past and preserve their family history.
##Moving Towards Reconciliation
As we navigate discussions about Confederate heritage, it’s essential to approach the topic with empathy and open-mindedness. While acknowledging the historical significance of Confederate generals, it’s also crucial to recognize the pain and trauma inflicted by the institution of slavery.
###Educational Initiatives
Promoting education and awareness about the complexities of Confederate history can help foster understanding and dialogue. Encouraging discussions that are respectful and inclusive can lead to meaningful conversations about race, heritage, and identity.
In conclusion, the passion that many American southerners feel for Confederate generals is deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and historical identity. By engaging in respectful dialogue and seeking to understand different perspectives, we can work towards a more inclusive and empathetic society.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Share your insights and perspectives in the comments below! 🌟🤔
It’s their “anti-establishment” symbol — they almost see the failure in the same light as martyrdom
Racism and Jim Crow mostly.
Almost nobody gave a shit until racists started using “Heritage” and “Southern Pride” as dogwhistles during the civil rights movement.
Same reason Jim Crow laws got made. It was about keeping black populations “in their place”. The majority of those statues and monuments weren’t made until the 1890s long after the confederacy.
Keep in mind that for a long time, the Civil War was referred to as “the war of northern aggression” and that for many decades after the Civil War, there was a group called The Daughters of the Confederacy was going around spreading the idea of the south being this sort of state trying to get freedom from an oppressive government, almost mirroring the story of the American revolution.
Also, I almost forgot the other big myth. A lot of people don’t believe that the Civil War was about slavery. They say it was about “state’s rights”. They aren’t 100% wrong. It was one state’s right in particular they were fighting over… Which was slavery.
Because of ignorance, racism, and misplaced pride in something that failed. But mostly racism.
Bcuz mah heritage
But according to that logic Germans should support Hitler
Most of the erection of confederate statues and such didn’t happen during the Civil War or in the years immediately following it, but decades later, during periods when “uppity Negroes” were agitating for civil rights and needed to be “reminded of their place.”
That aside, after the war was over and southern politicians returned to congress, they didn’t want to admit they were the bad guys, so they invented the myth of the “lost cause,” where the war was not fought over slavery, oh mercy no! Rather, it was fought over things like states’ rights and a genteel, mannered culture in the south (almost entirely imaginary) that the brutal, uncouth Yankees has trampled.
*”actually the confederate generals were all heroic individuals who fought against a tyrannical government that treated the south like slaves.”* – real life quote i once heard delivered entirely without any self-awareness
Racism, mostly. Explanations to the contrary are easily disproven. Easy example: the modern Confederate flag was barely used in the Civil War and only became popular in the early 1900s by white Southerners who were protesting integration measures.
Having grown up in the South and had family who fought for the South, I think part of it is ego. As a kid you want to know you come from winners, and the Confederacy was frankly a bunch of losers. As a kid you want to know your ancestors were good people, instead of a bunch of Slavery supporters. So you create psychological dissonance which is reinforced from your family and teachers. This is my theory as to why it persists.
To me I realized there’s a lessoned to be learned. Live your life in a way that honors your descendents, not that honors your ancestors. Your ancestors are dead a gone. We can make the world better than they ever could.
If it’s the family than that’s pretty common. People visit their family members in prison. As far as rebellion against the government goes, governments mostly range from ‘just about as bad as you could be’ to ‘terrible but do a few ok things’.
Cause there’s a bunch of bored losers with zero personality desperately looking for a way to fit in, even it means being a part of one of the biggest shit stains of United States history. As someone else said in here – a bunch of losers looking up to other losers, since they cannot relate to normal people.
Because they are ignorant, inbred rednecks who don’t get a real education and can’t comprehend that they are wrong.
Just a bunch of racist losers. I swear it feels like we fought the Civil war 65 years ago, not 165 years ago. Everyone of those statues should have never been erected. We shouldn’t honor traitors with statues in this country.
Older generations are, as a 38 year old southerner I can assure you that is not the attitude of the newer generations
Racism. Thats it.
It lets them be racist, most of the time. Not everyone – there is actually a lot of people for whom it was their ancestors and they don’t want to see their ancestors as bad people.
But a whole whole lot of them being passionate about the Slavers’ Revolt is just a chance to be racist.
Because they love playing the victim. THATs their heritage.
Same reason they love Trump so much, it was a time when their voice, “mattered,” when their interests were being met. In their eyes, had the South won they’d all be millionaires and directing the country as they see fit as the dominant ruling class. They don’t realize that plantation owners were the same as oligarchs and would not have shared the wealth with poor crackers. You can see it now if you like, go to a private Christian school in the south and ask the kids their opinions on trailer parks, or show them pictures of poorer whites and see the reactions.
The rebel generals weren’t even that good..all of Lee’s major victories were the result of critical failures on the part of hai Northern counterparts rather than any grand skill he had in leadership.
Once the union had capable field commanders adapted to the new nuances of warfare, the south folded quickly.
So they can pretend their racism is state pride?
They like that past. They think their ancestors were right. They can’t say that out loud or someone will find them and get them fired. So they dogwhistle in support. That’s like all of Republican politics. “Anti-human policies for anyone that I don’t approve of”
Because they are told to be. I grew up in Alabama 🤢🤮 and I still don’t get it.
Mostly racism, plain and simple. It’s almost entirely racism when anyone not in a military command position is a fan.
Some of the southern generals were good military leaders though, and those who study them for their tactical abilities are very different than those that follow them simply because they fought for the south. It’s much the same as studying Rommel, Yamamoto, or Benedict Arnold.
Of course, the people studying Rommel’s tactics don’t build statues for him. He was a freaking Nazi, and the southern generals shouldn’t be getting statues either.
They think they’re being “rebels” but they’re just racist douchebags. I live in Georgia and know a bunch of racist confederate flag flying idiots from work.
As someone who grew up in the south, I wish I could tell you. These people are all sorts of confused about history and everything else.
Because conflict with Northern voting blocs predated the Civil War and outlasted it
I grew up being told it meant southern pride. Like not afraid you were poor or country.
Having gone to school in Texas and taken mandatory Texas history courses, many of them are taught that the old South was a great society, slavery was just an economic system, and the civil was was northern aggression
They aren’t. There is 100 million people living in the us south. It’s quite diverse as well.
Identity politics really is the term that fits here. Look at how people in recent years have aligned with brands, random influencers, consumer products and even frog memes to signal who they are and who they’re against. The generals are less relevant than the us v. them mentality and the gymnastics used to try to posture as the good guys versus the bad guys.
And then, there’s a lot going on in terms of shame mitigation and trying to alleviate the discomfort of being on the losing side and doing drastic things that led to so much unnecessary bloodshed for a despicable cause. These folks reshaped an entire religion to justify the horrors of chattel slavery, and people’s kids will do a lot to try to keep their parents and grandparents on a pedestal.
Racism primarily.
I’ve lived in the south my entire 35 years and come from a family filled to the brim with rednecks and have never once heard someone talk about the confederacy. Occasionally you see a flag or bumpersticker or whatever but i think its more of a “fuck you” general type statement than a “the south will rise again” type statement.
Like those dudes that used to wear anarchy tshirts in highschool probably werent actually anarchists.