This article describes how the South transforms from a disjointed, locally oriented rural nation into a new nation (albeit a failed one in retrospect). With the exception of Gone with the Wind, tales of southern nationalism and romanticization of Dixie are rarely told for the shame of slavery, Jim Crow, and the seeming backwardness of the southern tradition.
Does the article successfully disprove some of these notions? Do you believe that the Civil War helped create the modern South, even if the confederacy lost? Who was more nationalistic? North or South?
I believe that the South's change fron individualism to nationalism was a direct result of the war. When the war broke out the Southerners and the Northerners had to go to new places away from home and saw horrific scenes of war, blood, and hell. I think that the southerners realized that the north's people where the same as their own and going to war was foolish. Of course this was when they started to lose but still, I think that the Civil War helped bring to the eyes of the South that if the North and South work together rather then fight each other then they could become such a strong country and practically be unstoppable.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to answer the first question, what are "these notions" ?
ReplyDeleteBut I believe that the Civil War actually helped create the modern South, more accurately, it helped create the modern United States. Yes, the confederacy did lose, but what the war brought to both sections, especially the South, was more important than how much they cost for the war. The Cilvil War kind of brought the two sections together (well, united) and reorganized the economy system, which provided wider view of economy for both sections, other factors such as new policy (more democracy) and new technologies were also influencing the South positively. Losing the war was pain and full of suffering, I understand, but what they could gain for their future is more worthy to think about. The war changed the form of the South to nationalism, and the South was more nationalistic after the war because both nationalism sections could make the unification of the country.
I believe that the Civil War did help shape the modern day South, even though they lost, because it helped to create a more stable South in todays time. The article states that the, “confederates fought a losing fight.” It also states that the South’s wartime experiences were not all negative. The South’s, “ new found cohesion, greater democracy, its new techniques of management... paved the way... for a true unification of the United States.” I think it is hard to decipher who was more nationalistic. From the outside looking in, it would appear that both the North and the South believed that their own way of life was superior to the other. But, the Northerners saw themselves as more nationalistic than the South and vice versa. When there was an attack on Fort Sumter, there was no question there would be war. With war also came benefits such as new revenues in both the North and the South. When the economy is doing well and people are fighting for what they think is a just cause, a surge of nationalism occurs.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Civil War drastically added to the nationalism of the South because it brought together all those divided within it to fight a common enemy. During the war both factions adopted certain things from each other, helping post-war nationalism being that everyone is that much more similar. It, even after the war, added to the nationalism as a whole of America when everyone realized they weren't so different after all and could unite under one flag. Even today I think the South is a lot more patriotic and united than the "North". Its still common for us to call the southern states the "South" and not so much for them to call us the "North". Sometimes it even takes to lose for everyone to come together, sometimes being about as strong at uniting as a victory.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, I agree with the author's claim that the South benefited socially from the war. Before the war many southerners were just concerned about their local needs. But, when the war began everyone was pulled away from their towns and had to experience new things, go to new places, and learn new things. This new thought process let southerners connect with each other, thus leading the the recognition that they share the same ideas and dreams. The beginning of nationalism was here! Not only did the south improve socially but also economically as well. The article stated that they learned a lot more about business and management. This new knowledge could also have been a factor in increasing southern nationalism.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading these articles, I think nationalism helped benefit the south. Nationalism is a pride in one's nation. Nationalism brought people together at the end of the war which was a huge bonus to help the economy of the south. Also, the war taught people how to live in another way which helps them live in ways they are not used to. The article also said they learned a lot more about business which also would help to make a better overall economy. The south could still be different if it was not for nationalism.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the articles, I believe the South was more nationalistic. The south believed that they were better at what they did and however they did it. They were more materialistic. The south was like the plastic of the movie “mean girls” while the north was more easily going and laid back. The south cared more about their looks and cared more about the social food chain and hierarchy. In the south, the more slaves you had, the higher you were in society. After the civil war was over. The south went under a “makeover” and changed drastically. The south learnt more about industrialization. I agree with what Dean said, the south would still have been able to change with or without the civil war once they saw their fellow colleagues; the north; changing their tactics and getting more business.
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