There were about three confederate flags with modifications on each one throughout the years. The first flag was titled “Stars and Bars” and was designed by Nicholas Maschall of Alabama. In total, there were four version of the flag, the only change being the stars (first seven, then nine, then eleven, and then thirteen). The flag was adopted in Alabama on March 4, 1861 and to solidify this claim, it raised over the confederate capital. The first acts of the Provisional Confederate Congress (congress of representatives from the South to form a governing body for confederacy) was to created the Committee on the Flag and Seal. The Committee asked the southern public to submit new ideas for the new US flag. Many supported the original US flag “Stars and Stripes” and due to its resemblance, “Stars and Bars” was approved. What prompted change was how the flag looked so similar to the US army’s flag, it confused soldier son the battle field. The ever changing stars would eventually become thirteen to show the new Kentucky and Missouri in the confederacy. 
The second flag was called “The Stainless Banner” and was first showcased outside of Ben Johnson’s house in Kentucky. Most of the designs proposed were similar to the Battle flag and the confederate congress made specific rules that outline the design of the flag: “to be a square of two thirds the width of the flag and have ground red with blue, bordered with white and five pointed stars corresponding to number of confederate states.” The use of white proved to be an issue and while there is not symbolism for the white added, there are hypothesis. Some saw it as a purity of cause while others saw it as the failure of the union. The second flag was meet with modest approval but the biggest critique was the overuse of white, many seeing it as sending mixed messages about the civil war. In fact, what sparked the need for change was that the white could be often mistaken as a flag of truce, sending problems during battle.
The third flag was “The Blood stained Banner” and was adopted on March 4, 1865. The red vertical stripe were proposed by major Arthur Roger who wanted as little yankee blue and the addition of red bringing in Britain and French influence. Congress described the flag: “widths of two thirds of its length with union to be width three fourths of flag so proportioned as to leave length of the field on side of the union twice the width of field below”. The flag had a base of red with blue lining, bordered with with white and stars that represented the confederate states.The confederate flag had multiple other flags used by individual states, nevertheless, its complicated history makes it a controversial symbol today. Some argue it shows their southern roots, while others call for its abolishment because it promotes racism. In California, the flag is banned but still flies high in other states.
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us-csa13.gif
https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/85/4485-004-A5A7132B.jpg
https://buyconfederateflag.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Blood-Stained-Banner-1.jpg
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-confederate-flag-ban-20170502-story.html
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/24/us/confederate-flag-myths-facts/index.html
http://theweek.com/articles/562004/surprisingly-uncomplicated-racist-history-confederate-flag
http://www.civilwar.com/resources/313-flags/150182-confederate-flag-history.html
I thought you tackled one of the most controversial images in the world in a very concise, yet clear way. The Confederate flags are not just flags of a past nation that no longer exists, it is the flag of an era that believed in a superior race and in many ways, it is similar to the Nazi flag in that idea alone. But besides just how this flag has caused controversy all across America, it is surprising to hear that the flag is actually supported or protected by five Southern states against its desecration. These states are South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. They are still flags that are publicly supported by thousands in the US, and it however, like you stated, California is the one state in the US that bans the flag.
ReplyDeleteSource: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/8-things-didnt-know-confederate-flag/
Your post gave a very thorough and informative explanation of the history and controversies surrounding the Confederate flag. You raise an important point about controversies over what Confederate symbols represent today. A notable recent example of this Confederate controversy is the fight over removing Confederate statues and monuments. Since Dylann Roof's murder spree that you mentioned, several monuments have been taken down. Confederate statues have been taken down in Baltimore, Durham, New Orleans, and Charleston have been taken down, and removals have been planned in Lexington and Charlottesville. Activists argue that Confederate monuments simply represent slavery and white supremacy and should unquestionably be taken down. Critics, including President Trump, argue that the monuments represent southern pride and that removing them would erase a large part of American history. Even though writings from the Civil War almost unequivocally state that the Confederacy fought for slavery, many southerners still criticize the removals, claiming that the monuments were erected "in loving memory" of the southerners. This fight calls into question what the Civil War was really about and what Confederate symbols really represent.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.vox.com/identities/2017/8/16/16151252/confederate-statues-white-supremacists
I agree with Karina and Noah that you did a nice job of addressing a very controversial and sensitive topic. However, I think that while yes, these flags and monuments mostly represent an idea of white supremacy, there is definitely more to it. For example, the recent rioting and controversy in Charlottesville over the statue of Robert E. Lee. While yes, General Lee was the Confederate commander, he was also undoubtedly a great general and military mind. We also know that he only served in the Confederate army out of loyalty to his state. I think that there is a lot of Southern pride in that, that does not stem from racism. Also, it is very important to remember that because the North won the war, people have the right to express there opinions no matter how hateful, as long as it doesn't incite violence. So even if the flag and other symbols do represent white supremacy, there is not much to be done about it.
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