American Civil War: Confederate Nationalism

Questions and Answers

What is the main idea of the text?

The South was an honorable and aristocratic nation

The Confederate States of America was a new nation

The Confederacy's ideology can be understood through its currency (correct)

Slavery was a foundational pillar of the Confederacy

What does the image of George Washington in a Roman toga represent?

The Confederacy's commitment to preserving the Union

The Confederacy's desire to emulate ancient Roman ideals of freedom

The Confederacy's belief in its own aristocratic past (correct)

The Confederacy's support for states' rights

What does the presence of John C. Calhoun's portrait on the currency signify?

The Confederacy's support for federal power

The Confederacy's commitment to economic development

The Confederacy's emphasis on states' rights (correct)

The Confederacy's desire to expand westward

What is the significance of the image of African Americans working in the fields on the currency?

It underlines the Confederacy's foundation on slavery Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's tone towards the Confederacy?

Critical Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of this text?

To analyze the Confederacy's ideology through its currency Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary ideal upon which Confederate nationalism was based?

Slavery Signup and view all the answers

Who made the statement that the foundations of the Confederacy were laid on the belief in racial inequality?

Alexander Stephens Signup and view all the answers

What did southerners fear more than anything else according to the described Confederate mindset?

Being treated as slaves Signup and view all the answers

How did religion influence Confederate nationalism?

By suggesting the Confederacy was fulfilling God's will Signup and view all the answers

What did the Confederate founding document explicitly invoke?

Christianity Signup and view all the answers

Which statement aligns with the Mississippi statement of secession?

The significance of slavery as a material interest Signup and view all the answers

How did the election of Lincoln in 1860 impact the South?

It highlighted the South's political alienation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a rationale for secession according to Confederate beliefs?

Economic gain through agriculture Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Confederate Nationalism

Confederate nationalism was based on several ideals, with slavery being the foremost among them.
According to Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens, the Confederacy's "foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery...is his natural and normal condition."
The election of Lincoln in 1860 demonstrated that the South was politically overwhelmed, leading to the adoption of Confederate nationalism.

Slavery as the Core of the Confederacy

Slavery was omnipresent in the pre-war South and served as the most common frame of reference for unequal power.
To southerners, there was no fate more terrifying than being reduced to the level of a slave.
The existence of slavery was the essential core of the fledgling Confederacy for the original seven Confederate states and the four that would subsequently join.

Role of Religion in Confederate Nationalism

Religion played a significant role in shaping Confederate nationalism, with southerners believing that the Confederacy was fulfilling God's will.
The Confederacy even veered from the American constitution by explicitly invoking Christianity in their founding document.

Confederate Currency and Nationalism

Confederate currency featured emblems of nationalism, including George Washington standing stately in a Roman toga, indicating the belief in the South's honorable and aristocratic past.
John C. Calhoun's portrait emphasized the Confederate argument of the importance of states' rights.
The image of African Americans working in fields demonstrated slavery's position as foundational to the Confederacy.

Description

This quiz explores the ideals behind Confederate nationalism during the American Civil War, including the role of slavery. Learn about the views of Confederate leaders like Alexander Stephens and how they shaped the Confederacy's identity.