Tango, yes a topic that should be debated, argued and remembered. Not banned or removed because its uncomfortable. Here are some comments to open up a discussion on this topic.
1. The ACW was fought over slavery?
Yes it was but that was not the primary reason. New States coming into the union were open markets for the wealthy Northern Industrialists. They wanted to sell their farming implements. The South wanted to keep using their slaves as cheap labor. They also wanted to use their slaves as cheap labor in the new States joining the union. Abraham Lincoln's campaign was financed by wealthy Northern Industrialists. So Lincoln's stance was new States joining the union would be free states. The South could keep their slaves. The primary point was the Federal government was expanding its power and influence over State issues. Some States were fine with this, many States were against this. Its something that even to this day is argued over. The Feds say cannabis is illegal, some States say its not. The Feds say illegal immigrants should be deported. Some States and Cities disagree with that. So even today its a constant debate between Federal authority and States rights.
2. Only Southerners owned slaves?
No, slaves and indentured servants were owned all across the USA.
3. Several Union leaders owned slaves.
Its well documented General Grant's father n law owned many slaves. Four or five of them were given to Grants wife by her father. Its even well documented Grant was given one slave, who he freed soon after. Its also well documented that Grant's father n law had some financial hard times and sold several of his slaves to his daughter, Grants wife. Grant in letters to his wife even discuss purchasing them to help out her father financially. What became of these slaves is a matter of debate. No clear record explains what became of them.
4. The Confederate Flag flown over slave ships?
In 1807 the Federal government passed the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves. So it was illegal to bring new slaves into the USA after this. Now I'm sure there was a black market for bringing in new slaves and selling them. I'm also pretty sure Confederate Navy ships had a slave or two on them. But the meaning behind the question is did ships flying the Confederate flag partake in slave trading or smuggling. Currently there are no documents that support the Confederate government took part or condoned such activity.
5. Was the Confederate battle flag a national flag?
Officially No. But as Cleaburne1863 posted, the battle flag was just as symbolic of the Confederacy as their official flags.
6. Was the Confederate battle flag called the Stars & Bar?
Its well documented the first official flag of the confederacy was called the Stars & Bars. The Battle Flag was commonly called the southern cross in period documents.
7. Confederate Battle Flag represents racism today?
The KKK has used the battle flag but its not their official flag. Up until the 1950's, the battle flag was considered a symbol to represent southern veterans and values that had nothing to do with slavery. But, and this is a major but. lol In the 1950's the battle flag was used as part of segregationist symbolism in Georgia. It spread from there so in our modern times. The battle flag is considered to represent racism because of its connection with segregation movement. Why today you have a mix of people who look at the flag how it was viewed prior to the 1950's. Then you have other people who view it in the context of its use in the 1950's and the civil rights movement.
8. The USA Flag represents freedom?
Again like the confederate battle flag its all based on the perspective its viewed in. Most people consider the USA the land of freedom and the flag represents that. But if you look at it from the perspective of minorities, it can be viewed differently. One thing we can all agree on is our government has done some terrible things. We can't change that but we can try to prevent them from happening again in the future.
9. Abraham Lincoln the emancipator?
Before the ACW its documented Lincoln did not personally condone slavery. But he had no problem with the south keeping their slaves to keep the union together. Its also well documented Lincoln's emancipation of southern slaves was done in the hopes slaves in the south would rise up and revolt. Forcing the southern military to divert men and materials to deal with this. Its also documented Lincoln was discussing after the war moving freed slaves to south America or to a Caribbean island. But since he was murdered, we'll never know if he planned to follow through with the discussion. Lincoln was a man of his times and he was a politician. He knew with modern farming implements, it was a matter of time before slavery was not cost effective. So he had no problem letting it die out on its own.
10. The south revered slavery?
Again, slavery being used as a cheap labor source was coming to an end. The manufacturing of farming implements was slowly proving slave labor was not cost effective. But, there is no doubt people like being pampered and taken care of. So slavery as in servants doing house hold chores and such was not going to stop until there were laws stopping it. So in that aspect, I have no doubts the south revered their servants. Southerners today want to say their ancestors considered their house slaves as family and they were well treated. I'm sure many of them did. But that does not take away from the fact, they were slaves and had no choice!
11. The confederate Army was made up of rich slave owners?
Again, this is based on ones perspective. If you were a common soldier, its very doubtful you owned slaves. If you were higher ranking officer, more than likely your family did own slaves. Its estimated that one third of southerners owned slaves in 1860.
12. Only the north had men of color serve in the ranks?
Again, its well documents "men of color" served in southern units also. I'm sure each and everyone of them had their own reasons. But I'd bet a lot of them did it out of loyalty to a master who treated them well. Not because they felt slavery should be continued.
13. Confederate flag is authorized symbol for hate groups?
Many hate groups have used it but its not the authorized flag or symbol for the KKK or Aryan nations.
14. Sons of the confederate veterans a hate group?
No, Poverty Law Center that tracks hate groups does not list this group as a hate group. Poverty Law Center does monitor them. In the past members of hate groups have tried to join and influence Sons of Confederate Veterans organization.
