Flags are familiar symbols and popular with all ages. A flags definition is usually rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or as a decoration. (Alle, pg. 127) Most people today consider the Confederate Flag to be racist but others just see it as a way to say they are proud to be from the South. Have people actually researched what they are saying or are they throwing out what they have heard others say? What does the confederate flag really mean and why do people think it has to do with racism? I want to inform people of the history of the Confederate flag, the real meaning behind it and that it is not racist. It is a national flag and no matter what people have to say about it, a national flag is a statement of pride for citizens. In 1860, a man who was against slavery by the name of Abraham Lincoln became president. When he became president this caused some southern states to seceded from the Union and form the Confederate States of America. In 1861, the American Civil War was started. There were high tensions between the northern and southern states going on for awhile now over issues including states' rights versus federal authority, westward expansion and slavery. (Tindal & Shi, pg.477) One of the reasons of the start of the Civil War was yes because of slavery but that does not mean that the flag was made because of the slavery part in the war. The main focus in the war was not the flags in any means. Each flag means something different though. The Confederate Flag was a symbol of the South. The soldiers fought for it much like our soldiers of today, fighting for the American flag.
The flag that we all know today that’s square with 13 stars, a side ways blue cross and a blood red background was not known as the Confederate Flag, the Rebel Flag, the Southern Cross, or the Dixie Flag, back then it was know as the Confederate Battle Flag. Regiments carried flags to