The Rebel Flag Confederate Battle Flag is the most recognizable symbol of the secessionist group known as the Confederacy, which fought against the US to preserve slavery. The South regarded this as central to their cause, and the flag was used by members of the Army of Northern Virginia in battles across America during the American Civil War. It is often wrongly referred to as the Stars and Bars, although the first national flag and the second national flag were also official Confederate symbols.
Its popularity in popular culture and a proliferation of merchandise, like T-shirts and bumper stickers, helped to create the myth that the flag represented Southern heritage and pride. It was an icon of rebellious individualism, a theme pushed further by shows such as the Dukes of Hazzard and by music like Lynrd Skynrd.
Controversial Symbolism: Understanding the Rebel Flag Confederate Battle Flag
This image has persisted for decades. It was only during the struggle for civil rights that people began to realize the flag was a divisive symbol of enslavement and oppression, rather than an innocent reminder of mint juleps and church-going. Even then, however, many Southerners claimed to be using the flag in remembrance of their heritage, as opposed to promoting racial hatred or trying to win a lost cause.
But a quick look at the articles of secession and its declarations shows that it was, from the start, a group dedicated to preserving slavery. The debate over whether or not the flag can be separated from these ideals is ongoing, and it’s hard to see how it can be done – especially if someone is displaying the flag in memory of a dead ancestor, as this would seem to suggest that they were not part of the Confederacy and therefore did not champion slavery.