What Does this Statue Stand For?

By Lisa M. Herrington

By Lisa M. Herrington

The Civil War erupted in April 1861, after several Southern states seceded, or broke away, from the United States. They formed the Confederate States of America (also known as the Confederacy). The Northern states were called the Union.

The biggest of the many issues that divided the Northern states and the Southern states was slavery. At the time, nearly 4 million enslaved people lived in the U.S. They or their ancestors had been kidnapped from Africa and brought to America. Enslaved people had no rights or freedoms. They were treated as property, not human beings. They were bought and sold by White enslavers who forced them to work without pay. 

By 1861, slavery had been outlawed in most Northern states for decades. But it was still legal in the South. The free labor of slavery had made many Southerners very wealthy. Enslaved people had built the homes and other buildings on large farms called plantations. Many were forced to work in the fields on plantations. Others worked in homes, cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children of their enslavers. The Confederate states went to war to try to preserve this way of life.

The Union and the Confederacy fought for four long years. In April 1865, General Lee, who led the Confederate Army, surrendered. Later that year, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery throughout the nation. As a result, close to 4 million enslaved people would earn their freedom.

The Civil War erupted in April 1861. Several Southern states had seceded, or broken away, from the United States. They formed the Confederate States of America. It was also known as the Confederacy. The Northern states were called the Union.

Many issues divided the Northern states and the Southern states. The biggest issue was slavery. At the time, nearly 4 million enslaved people lived in the U.S. They or their ancestors had been kidnapped from Africa. Enslaved people had no rights or freedoms. They were treated as property, not as human beings. They were bought and sold by White enslavers and forced to work without pay.

By 1861, slavery had been outlawed in most Northern states for decades. But it was still legal in the South. The free labor of slavery had made many Southerners very wealthy. Enslaved people had built the homes and other buildings on large farms called plantations. Many were forced to work in the fields on plantations. Others worked in homes. They cooked, cleaned, and cared for the children of their enslavers. The Confederate states went to war to try to preserve this way of life.

The Union and the Confederacy fought for four long years. General Lee led the Confederate Army. In April 1865, he surrendered. Later that year, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was approved. It abolished slavery throughout the nation. As a result, close to 4 million enslaved people would be freed.

After the war, the nation struggled with how to remember those who had fought. General Lee, for one, argued against building monuments in their honor. In 1869, he wrote in a letter that these monuments would only “keep open the sores of war” and keep the nation divided.

Not everyone shared that opinion. Confederate monuments were built after the war and still continue to spring up. Today, these statues, as well as Confederate flags, can be seen across the South. Also, hundreds of streets and dozens of schools are named after Confederate leaders. 

After the war, the nation struggled with how to remember those who had fought. General Lee, for one, argued against building monuments in their honor. In 1869, he wrote in a letter that these monuments would only “keep open the sores of war.” He believed this would keep the nation divided.

Not everyone shared that opinion. Confederate monuments were built after the war. They still continue to spring up in some places. Today, these statues appear across the South. Confederate flags can also be seen in Southern states. In addition, hundreds of streets and dozens of schools are named after Confederate leaders. 

For years, many people, especially Black Americans, have been offended by statues, flags, and place names that honor the Confederacy. They see them as painful symbols of racism and slavery. Many Americans argue that it’s wrong to honor people who tried, and failed, to divide the United States.

“These monuments are upsetting to many people because they celebrate historical figures who wanted to separate the country,” says Lionel Kimble Jr. of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. 

For years, many people have been offended by statues, flags, and place names that honor the Confederacy. That is especially true of Black Americans. They see them as painful symbols of racism and slavery. Many Americans argue that it’s wrong to honor people who tried, and failed, to divide the United States.

“These monuments are upsetting to many people because they celebrate historical figures who wanted to separate the country,” says Lionel Kimble Jr. He is a vice president at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. 

Calls to remove Confederate symbols from public places grew louder this summer. Across the nation, millions of protesters demanded an end to racial injustice against Black people. The protests were set off by outrage over the death of George Floyd. He was a Black man killed by a White police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May.

Nearly 80 Confederate symbols have been removed from public places or renamed since then, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. This includes Mississippi’s removal of a Confederate emblem from its state flag after 126 years.

Dwight Walter Jones II is a descendant of enslaved people. He watched as a Confederate statue in Richmond was removed in July. “Seeing the statue come down is like seeing a symbol of oppression for my ancestors come down too,” he told USA Today.

Calls to remove Confederate symbols from public places grew louder this summer. Across the nation, millions of protesters demanded an end to racial injustice against Black people. The protests were set off by outrage over the death of George Floyd. He was a Black man killed by a White police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May.

Nearly 80 Confederate symbols have been removed from public places or renamed since then. That’s according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Mississippi changed its state flag after 126 years. The flag no longer includes a Confederate emblem.

Dwight Walter Jones II is a descendant of enslaved people. He watched as a Confederate statue in Richmond was removed in July. “Seeing the statue come down is like seeing a symbol of oppression for my ancestors come down too,” he told USA Today.

But not everyone wants symbols of the Confederacy to be taken down. Many Americans say they’re important reminders of the nation’s past and should be preserved.

“I don’t think we can go back and erase our history by removing statues,” John Cornyn, a U.S. senator from Texas, told reporters in June. “What happens next? Then somebody says you can’t teach about the Civil War or slavery.”

For others, symbols of the Confederacy honor Southerners who fought—and died—in the war. Bill Elliot is a descendant of Confederate soldiers. He told a local Texas newspaper that the Confederate flag is a source of “pride for our ancestors that served under it.” 

But not everyone wants Confederate symbols to be taken down. Many Americans say they should be preserved. To them, the symbols are important reminders of the nation’s past.

“I don’t think we can go back and erase our history by removing statues,” John Cornyn told reporters in June. He is a U.S. senator from Texas. “What happens next? Then somebody says you can’t teach about the Civil War or slavery.”

For others, symbols of the Confederacy honor Southerners who fought, and died, in the war. Bill Elliot is a descendant of Confederate soldiers. He told a local Texas newspaper that the Confederate flag is a source of “pride for our ancestors that served under it.” 

Even with the recent changes, more than 700 Confederate statues remain on public land. In some Southern states, it’s illegal to relocate or remove Confederate monuments. Meanwhile, some cities are moving forward with plans to take them down. 

Levar Stoney is the mayor of Richmond. He says the statues on Monument Avenue “have cast a shadow on the dreams of our children of color. By removing them, we can begin to heal.”

Even with the recent changes, more than 700 Confederate statues remain on public land. In some Southern states, it’s illegal to relocate or remove Confederate monuments. Meanwhile, some cities are moving forward with plans to take them down. 

Levar Stoney is the mayor of Richmond. He says the statues on Monument Avenue “have cast a shadow on the dreams of our children of color. By removing them, we can begin to heal.”

1. What was the main cause of the Civil War?

2. Explain what Robert. E Lee meant when he said confederate monuments would only “keep open the sores of war.”

3. Why has the call to remove Confederate symbols increased recently?

1. What was the main cause of the Civil War?

2. Explain what Robert. E Lee meant when he said confederate monuments would only “keep open the sores of war.”

3. Why has the call to remove Confederate symbols increased recently?