What is the confederation flag. Flag of the Southern Confederation

The Confederate States of America (CCA) are 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 Gettysburg Battle, the state was only formally considered independent. There was a confederation from 1861 to 1865. What is the history of the emergence of this state? Why was it only 4 years old? What are the reasons for the disappearance of the alliance? What was the flag of the confederation? About this and many other things, read in the article.

Causes of extinction

The alliance was formed as a result of the withdrawal from the US of thirteen southern slave-holding regions. During the civil war, the United States and the Confederate States fought each other. After the military defeat, the KSA ended their existence. The constituent territories were later captured by the United States Army. Then they were reorganized. This process took place during the lengthy Reconstruction of the South.

History of occurrence

The first meeting of those who supported the withdrawal from the state of the United States took place in the city of Abbyville. It happened in 1860, on November 22. After the approval of the results of the presidential elections in America and the victory of Abraham Lincoln in them, the Confederate States of America were formed. This happened on February 4, 1861. The following areas were involved in the formation of the alliance: Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. On March 2, Texas joined these six territories. Together, they announced their withdrawal from America and demanded the return to the regional authorities of 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 on the territory of 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 appearance of the CCA. 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 negate the willingness to use force to maintain its influence over tax collection and control over federal property.

Military clashes

The battle for Fort Sumter was the beginning of the civil war in America. The troops of South Carolina, commanded by General Pierre GT Boregar, on April 12, 1861, defeated the federal fort located in the Charleston harbor. After that, Lincoln demanded from the allied regions that he give more soldiers at his disposal to regain power 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. The border areas of America were Missouri and Kentucky. In a certain period of time, these states had two opposing governments. One of them supported KSA, and the other sought the Union. Since the pro-federative power achieved the connection of the territories of these regions under its control with the confederation, it can be assumed that the KSA had 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 other things, the Confederate States received the support of some "civilized" tribes. On Indian territory, their allies were shouting, Seminole, Cherokee, Chekaso and Choctaw. Not all states engaged in slavery, joined the confederation. It does not include Delaware and Maryland.

What changes did the flag of the confederation of the southern states undergo

A number of banners were used by KSA from 1861 to 1865. The very first flag of the confederation was called "Stars and Stripes". It's a little like the name of the banner of America and is due to the subtleties of the Russian translation. In English, the difference is obvious. This does not end there. The flag of the confederation was a blue canvas, in the corner of which was embroidered initially 7, then 9, 11 and 13 stars. On the rest of the canvas area there was one white and two red stripes.

In close ties, which are difficult to overlook, the banner of America and the flag of the confederation were connected. The significance of this apparent similarity is due to the fact that the creators of the latter felt affection for the "old homeland". Probably, they decided to give her some tribute. Undoubtedly, there were also opposing views 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 as many as three changes. Periodically, two stars were added to the flag: May 21, July 2 and November 28, 1861. Each designated a new state joining the US. The stars of Missouri and Kentucky meant only slave-owning activities and the presence of confederal authorities in their territories. This did not imply their joining the composition of the Confederate States of America.

Difficulties of similar symbols

The laudable devotion of the Confederates to their homeland was considered a valiant phenomenon, until the flag of the American confederation played a cruel joke. In 1861, on July 21, there was a large-scale battle during the Civil War, which was christened as "The First Battle at Bull Ran". The Confederates used his newly created battle 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 eyes to distinguish similar symbols and not engage in battle with brother-soldiers.

The trick of Pierre Beauregard

Of course, this state of affairs did not suit the command staff. After the battle, General Pierre Boregar introduced a proposal to change the state flag of the confederation of the southern states. Otherwise, a fatal mess 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 the traditions. Then General Beauregard made another proposal. His idea was to create an entirely new combat standard, different from the flag and battle banners of America. In this field, he managed to excel. He not only became the creator of a new unique banner, but he was able to make it so famous that today the national flag of the confederation has disappeared into 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 to this day it was transformed into a rectangle. In some illustrations, one can find confirmation that such a flag was acquired during the civil war. For the first time the battle standard was used in December 1861. Also during this period, the US decided to change the state banner.

The second symbol of the confederation, called the Memorable Flag, was created in 1863, on May 26. Its large area is filled with white color, in the corner there is a battle standard. In 1865, May 4, to the white canvas was added a vertical red strip and a new name - The Bloodied Flag. It became the latest state symbol of the US, because soon the alliance ceased to exist.

Old symbols in modern realities

To date, the flag of the Confederates in the US is borrowed by representatives of different groups. In particular, the canvas is popular among oppositionists and ultra-rightists. Nevertheless, many southerners traditionally revere it without various political and racist hints. There is even a flag of the confederation of bikers, which denotes their general disobedience and inner freedom.

Now it can be confidently asserted that this combat standard in America is used primarily by radical movements.