The Confederate States of America (CSA) is an independent (de facto) state. From 1862 to 1863 the sovereignty of the alliance was recognized by France and the British Empire. However, after the Battle of Gettysburg, the state was only formally considered independent. There was a confederation from 1861 to 1865. What is the history of this state? Why was it only there for 4 years? What are the reasons for the disappearance of the alliance? What was the confederate flag? Read about this and much more in the article.
Reason for disappearance
The alliance was formed as a result of the withdrawal from the United States of thirteen southern slave-owning regions. During the Civil War, the United States and the Confederate States fought each other. After the military defeat, the KSA ended their existence. Their constituent territories were subsequently captured by the United States Army. Then they were reorganized. This process took place during the long Reconstruction of the South.
History of occurrence
Firsta meeting of those who were in favor of secession from the state of the United States was held in the city of Abbeville. It happened in 1860, on November 22. After the approval of the results of the American presidential elections and the victory of Abraham Lincoln in them, the Confederate States of America were formed. This happened on February 4, 1861. The following areas participated in the formation of the alliance: Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. On March 2, Texas joined the six territories. Together they announced their secession from America and demanded the return to the authorities of the regions of the rights that were delegated to the federal government in 1787 by the Constitution. Among other things, these powers made it possible to fully control the military fortifications, customs and ports that were located on the territory of the states, as well as regulate the collection of various duties and taxes.
Political motives
Abraham Lincoln was sworn in and became the 16th President of the United States. The event took place on March 4, a month after the onset of CSA. At his inauguration, he gave a speech in which he stated that he considered secession legally worthless. The President also announced that America does not plan to invade the territories of the southern regions, but this does not negate the willingness to use force to maintain its influence over the collection of taxes and control over federal property.
Military clashes
The Battle of Fort Sumter was the start of the American Civil War. Troops of the SouthThe Carolinas, commanded by General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, on April 12, 1861, defeated the federal fort located in Charleston Harbor. After that, Lincoln demanded that the Union areas provide him with more soldiers to restore control over Sumter, other southern forts, maintain the Union and protect the capital by military means. The response to this demand was the withdrawal of four more regions from the American state. North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas joined the ranks of the confederation.
Missouri and Kentucky became America's border territories. At a certain period of time, these states had two opposing governments. One of them supported the CSA, and the other aspired to the Union. Since the pro-confederal authorities achieved the connection of the territories of these regions under their control with the confederation, it can be considered that the CSA included 13 regions. Also, New Mexico and Arizona - areas that did not have the status and rights of officially approved regions - expressed a desire to join the alliance. Among others, the Confederate States received the support of some "civilized" tribes. In Indian territory, the Creek, Seminole, Cherokee, Chekasaw, and Choctaw became their allies. Not all slave states joined the confederation. It did not include Delaware and Maryland.
What changes did the Southern Confederate flag undergo?
Many banners were used by the CSA between 1861 and 1865. The very first confederate flagIt was called Stars and Stripes. This is a bit like the name of the banner of America and is due to the subtleties of the Russian translation. However, in English the difference is clear. The similarities don't end there. The flag of the confederation was a blue canvas, in the corner of which was initially embroidered 7, then 9, 11 and 13 stars. The rest of the canvas had one white and two red stripes.
A close bond, hard to miss, was the banner of America and the flag of the Confederacy. The significance of this obvious similarity is due to the fact that the creators of the latter felt attached to the "old Motherland". They probably decided to pay some tribute to her. Undoubtedly, there were also opposing opinions that the flag of the southern confederation should have its own features. However, those who supported this idea were in the minority. The confederate flag was approved on May 4, 1861. In the approved form, the canvas was kept on flagpoles until May 26, 1863. True, for a short existence it has undergone as many as three changes. Periodically, two stars were added to the flag: May 21, July 2 and November 28, 1861. Each denoted a new state that joined the CSA. The stars of Missouri and Kentucky meant only slave-owning activity and the presence of Confederate authorities in their territories. This did not imply their accession to the Confederate States of America.
Difficulties with similar symbols
The laudable devotion of the Confederates to their homeland was considered a valiant phenomenon as long as the flagAmerican Confederation did not play a cruel joke. On July 21, 1861, a large-scale battle took place during the Civil War, which was dubbed the "First Battle of Bull Run". The Confederates used their newly created Stars and Stripes battle flag. During the same period, opponents from the north hoisted the US confederate flag. It was called Stars and Stripes. To successfully fight with the enemy, the soldiers had to make great efforts and strain their eyesight to distinguish similar characters and not engage in battle with fellow soldiers.
The Cunning of Pierre Beauregard
Of course, this state of affairs did not suit the command staff. After the battle, General Pierre Beauregard made a proposal to change the state flag of the confederation of the southern states. Otherwise, fatal confusion in the heat of hostilities would simply not be avoided. However, the government opposed such an innovation, justifying its actions by the need to follow traditions. Then General Beauregard made another proposal. His idea involved the creation of a completely new battle standard, different from the flag and battle colors of America. In this field, he managed to noticeably succeed. He not only became the creator of a new unique banner, but also managed to make it so famous that today the state flag of the confederation has disappeared in its shadow.
Battle standard
The red canvas withblue cross and thirteen stars inside. It was square in shape, like all battle banners, but even to this day it has been transformed into a rectangle. In some illustrations, one can find confirmation that the flag acquired such modifications during the civil war. The battle standard was first used in December 1861. Also during this period, the KSA decided to change the state banner.
The second symbol of the confederation, called the Immemorial Flag, was created in 1863, on May 26th. Its large area is filled with white, in the corner there is a battle standard. In 1865, on May 4, a vertical red stripe and a new name, the Bloodied Flag, were added to the white canvas. It became the latest state symbol of the CSA, because the alliance soon ceased to exist.
Old symbols in modern realities
Today, the Confederate flag in the United States is borrowed by representatives of different groups. In particular, the canvas is popular with the opposition and ultra-right. Nevertheless, many southerners traditionally revere him without various political and racist overtones. There is even a biker confederation flag that stands for their total defiance and inner freedom.
Now it is safe to say that this battle flag in America is used mainly by radical movements.
