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 available for only 4 years? What are the reasons for the disappearance of the alliance? What was the flag of the confederation? Read about this and much more in the article.
Reasons for extinction
The alliance was formed as a result of the withdrawal from the United States of thirteen southern slave regions. During the Civil War, the United and Confederate States fought each other. After a military defeat, the KSA ended its existence. Their constituent territories were subsequently captured by the United States Army. They were then reorganized. This process took place during the long Reconstruction of the South.
History of occurrence
The first meeting of those who advocated secession from the United States took place in Abbeyville. It happened in 1860, November 22. After the approval of the results of the presidential election of America and the victory of Abraham Lincoln in them, the Confederate States of America were formed. This happened on February 4, 1861. In the process of forming the alliance, the following areas participated: Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. On March 2, Texas joined these 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 in the states, as well as regulate the collection of various duties and taxes.
Political motives
Abraham Lincoln took the oath and became the 16th president of the United States. The event occurred on March 4, a month after the occurrence of the CABG. At his inauguration, he delivered a speech in which he stated that he considered secession to be useless from a legal point of view. The president also announced that America does not plan to invade the southern regions, but this does not cancel the willingness to use force to maintain its influence over tax collection and control over federal property.
Military clashes
The Battle of Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the American Civil War. The troops of South Carolina, commanded by General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, defeated the federal fort located in Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861. After that, Lincoln demanded that the allied provinces provide him with more soldiers to restore power over Sumter, the other southern forts, maintain the Union and defend the capital by military means. The response to this requirement was the withdrawal of four more regions from the American state. North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas joined the confederation.
Frontier territories of America became Missouri and Kentucky. For a certain period of time, these states had two warring governments. One of them supported the KSA, and the other sought to the Union. Since the pro-confederal government succeeded in combining the territories under its control of these regions with the confederation, it can be considered that the KSA 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, their allies were screams, semininos, Cherokee, Chekaso and Choctaw. Not all slave states joined the confederation. It did not include Delaware and Maryland.
What changes did the flag of the Southern Confederation undergo?
A lot of banners were used by the CABG from 1861 to 1865. The very first flag of the confederation 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. Moreover, in English, the difference is obvious. The similarities do not end there. The confederation flag was a blue canvas, in the corner of which 7, then 9, 11 and 13 stars were originally embroidered. On the rest of the canvas there was one white and two red stripes.
Close ties that are hard to miss were tied to the banner of America and the flag of the confederation. The significance of this apparent similarity is due to the fact that the creators of the latter felt attachment to the "old Motherland". They probably decided to pay her some tribute. Undoubtedly, there were conflicting opinions that the flag of the southern confederation should have its own features. Nevertheless, those who supported this idea were in the minority. The flag of the confederation was approved on May 4, 1861. In the approved form, the canvas was held on flagpoles until May 26, 1863. True, for a short existence, it has undergone three whole changes. Two stars were periodically added to the flag: May 21, July 2, and November 28, 1861. Each signified a new state that joined the United States. The stars of Missouri and Kentucky meant only slaveholding and the presence of confederate authorities in their territories. Moreover, their accession to the composition of the Confederate States of America was not implied.
Difficulties of similar symbolism
The Confederates' commendable loyalty to their homeland was considered a gallant phenomenon until the flag of the American Confederation played a cruel joke. In 1861, on July 21, a large-scale battle took place during the Civil War, which was dubbed the "First Battle of Bull Run." The Confederates in it used their newly created combat banner, Stars and Stripes. In the same period, opponents from the north hoisted the flag of the US Confederation. It was called "Stars and Stripes." For a successful battle 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 trick of Pierre Beauregard
Of course, this situation did not suit the command staff. After the battle, General Pierre Beauregard made a proposal to change the state flag of the Southern Confederation. Otherwise, fatal confusion in the heat of hostilities could simply not be avoided. However, the government opposed such an innovation, justifying its actions by the need to follow traditions. Then General Boregar made another proposal. His idea was to create a completely new military standard, different from the flag and military banners of America. In this field, he managed to succeed markedly. He not only became the creator of a new unique banner, but was also able to make it so famous that today the state flag of the confederation has disappeared in its shadow.
Battle standard
A new distinctive sign was a red canvas with a blue cross and thirteen stars inside. It was square in shape, like all military banners, but even today it has 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 flag.
The second symbol of the confederation, called the Memorial Flag, was created in 1863, May 26. Its large area is filled with white, in the corner there is a combat 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 last state symbol of the KSA, because soon the alliance ceased to exist.
Old symbolism in modern realities
Today, the Confederate flag in the United States is borrowed by representatives of different groups. In particular, the canvas is popular among opposition and ultra-right. Nevertheless, many southerners traditionally revere him without various political and racist hints. There is even a flag of the confederation of bikers, which indicates their general disobedience and inner freedom.
Now it is safe to say that this combat banner in America is used primarily by radically-minded movements.