The highest number of American casualties in United States history occurred in the Civil War; the battle over slavery and state’s rights broke out when Confederates attacked Fort Sumter. The Confederate States Of America, also deemed the Confederacy, was a self-proclaimed nation that existed from the year 1960 to 1965. They were a group of 11 slaveholder states that seceded from the Union due to the then-controversy of slavery and state’s rights. The Confederacy and the Union broke out into what is still the bloodiest war in the United States history, resulting in the deaths of approximately 785,000 to 1,000,000+ residents. After the Civil War, the states in the Confederacy rejoined the Union, and the emancipation of slavery took place, although the actual abolishment of this awful practice would not cease until later years.
Currently, there are approximately 1,500 symbols of the Confederacy found throughout the country (as claimed by the Southern Poverty Law Center). The Confederacy’s involvement in slavery and its overall negative impact on United States history has led some to argue that these statues are tokens of America’s dark past and participation in slavery, as well as symbols of racism within the United States. On the other hand, some reason that they exist as markers of history and as a way to honor American heritage. Critics dispute that these monuments are more a question of Southerner’s pride, not a way to celebrate pro-slavery and white supremacy. The nationwide debate as to why we should keep these statues ensued after a white nationalist rally that took place on August 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Since then, several government officials have called for the removal of these monuments throughout their states.
According to the New York Times, thus far the states of Maryland, Texas, New York City, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Louisiana have or are planning to remove various Confederate monuments. Government officials arranged the majority of these removals/relocations and properly removed these markers from their premises. One exception, however, was in Durham, North Carolina. There, Protesters used a rope to bring down the statue of a Confederate soldier in response to the events in Charlottesville.
Presently, the removal of these Confederate monuments is a controversial topic that has and will continue to arise discussion. Some believe that it is foolish because it is a part of our history, and the taking down of these monuments will not change it. Others feud that it will lessen the fuel for the fire on white supremacy, racism, and neo-nazism. Nevertheless, as of now, they will continue to be removed and relocated from their places throughout the nation.
