The Confederates were Traitors?

[flareback]

So I just came across this article on cnn

From the article

I know some will take issue with my calling the Confederacy a band of traitors, but let's be blunt -- that's what they were. They broke from the United States and created their own nation, calling it the Confederate States of America. They issued their own currency, elected their own president and Congress, raised an army and went to war with the United States of America, firing the first shot at Fort Sumter, South Carolina.

That article just makes me mad, but at the same time sad. It's sad that people think it's traitorous to want to split from a government that people don't think represents them. That it's better to use aggression and force people to stay under the same government even though some of those people feel it would be better to part ways.

 

[Midnight Raver]

I too read this yesterday, and I was very disturbed by it- then the comments had me furious! If it was just as simple as allowing slavery to keep the south from seceding, Lincoln would have done it. People have gotten so wrapped up in that one aspect hardly any other of the MANY reasons are even known by them. These same people who love and adore Lincoln don't even realize that he was a Republican! I think to myself "how was THAT kick in the ass?" when I point that fact to some of the Demokrats up here. Hell, the word republican is practically a curse now, right up there with the dreaded N word. It really bothers me to be living in the birthplace of the revolution yet be so restricted, taxed and oppressed. Civil wars happen for many reasons and in many countries, governments need to listen to ALL of the people- not just the ones putting them in office. And not just the people they talk into voting for them either, for that matter.

If the flags used by the Confederacy were traitorous, then so were the ones used in the birth of this nation- you can not candy coat a rebellion just because it was successful. I believe the south only acted as the founding forefathers did, and as such were also acting as Americans- blame the government, not the people.

 

[shane361]

I use to think the same thing until faced with todays situation. Would I think the south were traitors if they left THIS government? Not in a million years would I. So my mindset changed a bit. It's hard to have an opinion if you did not actually grow up in the North and the South during that time. Slavery was wrong, but the war wasn't just about that.

 

[rotarymike]

The confeds were, by the definition of treason, traitors. Doesn't make what they were doing morally wrong (or right, I'm not taking sides).

So were the Americans that started the Revolution.

So were the Russians that overthrew the Tsar.

So were the french who overthrew... well, the french. The other french, I guess.

Nothing new here.

 

[Avtomat-Acolyte]

By every definition, they were absolutely traitors to the United States of America.

By every definition, they were staunch patriots to the Confederate States of America.

Just like how Robin Hood was a terrorist to Sheriff of Nottingham but a hero to the people that hated the Sheriff.

The USA won the war so, like in all conflicts, is free to slander and twist all information relevant to the events.

The most interesting thing about the war, to me, is that any land is free to join the United States.... but is never free to leave. The relationship that the states have with the Federal government reminds me of a domestic violence abusive relationship or even that of a highly-organized, criminal street gang.

 

[shane361]

So who will be the traitors today? When the marshall law comes into effect, when president becomes dictator, when they come for our guns?

 

[94formulabird]

So who will be the traitors today? When the marshall law comes into effect, when president becomes dictator, when they come for our guns?

sign me up....it also surprises me that most believe the civil war was ONLY about slavery

 

[rotarymike]

Public school History leaves a lot out of both the Civil and Revolutionary wars in terms of reasoning, conditions, mitigating/exacerbating factors, etc. I guess it is easier to push a hero-based (Washington, Lincoln) single plotline than the complicated truth.

 

[Tigerstripe]

so history will say OUR revolution was about the ACA.

 

[Underdude]

I'm from CA
Am I a Yankee?

 

[zackattack]

Northwestern Yankee?

 

[RampDog]

I'm a Yankee, in that I was born in the north.

 

[Pigpen]

Yeah, technically they were. Whomever wins writes history though. It does not make them right it only makes them the winner.

When I say "them", I mean them damn yankees.

 

[RampDog]

Some of those history text books are made in Texas so it's hardly those "damn Yankees" who write the history. A lot has also been written about the Civil War, exploring it in-depth, so if people don't understand the era then it's because of ignorance and laziness. Many say that the secession of the southern states was not due to slavery or not primarily due to slavery are basically in the same boat as those who claim it was all about slavery. The declarations of secession from South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Virginia, and Mississippi all either directly or indirectly attribute their secession to slavery. Arkansas doesn't mention slavery in their declaration, but it is brought up in the resolutions leading to the declaration. So anyone can see that while slavery wasn't the only reason for secession it was a major one.

 

[Avtomat-Acolyte]

The only reason South Carolina seceded from the United States was because South Carolina is awesome and the United States

 

[Avtomat-Acolyte]

Oh, look, an incomplete thought. Fill in the blank.

 

[Midnight Raver]

:lol:

 

[Chili]

That article fits the old saying of the winners write the history. Besides, does anyone expect the truth from that liberal cesspool?

 

[Avtomat-Acolyte]

That article fits the old saying of the winners write the history. Besides, does anyone expect the truth from that liberal cesspool?

You misspelled "The United States of America."

 

[PCShogun]

you can not candy coat a rebellion just because it was successful.

Uh, yeah, you can. People been doing it since the dawn of time. The primary difference between a traitor and a freedom fighter is victory. Always remember, History is written by the victors.