The idea of patriotism to me is very defined in pre-Civil War times in American History. It is being proud of being American. However, because of slavery and the division of beliefs on slavery, among other issues, the Civil War happened, basically dividing the country. What interests me about the Civil War is just how different Southerners considered themselves from the North. How was a people who were so passionate about togetherness just 60 years ago all of a sudden be so split? Slavery and the differing use of slaves in the north and south is a main reason. After that, during the Civil War, the South became its own country, by all means except political. The South were passionate about their own new country, and were patriots for that country. They cared so much for the maintenance of the Confederate States of America, they fought a battle that they knew they had a very slim chance of winning. They cared so much, because they knew that the institution of slavery was almost completely necessary for them. So a patriot is not a person who supported the right cause or the cause that is most popular, but a person who supports a cause. A person who genuinely is proud to be a part of something. So even though the Confederate States of America was a doomed cause, the people of the South were proud to be Southerners. Therefore, by my reasoning, they are patriots for their beliefs.
Zayan, I'm glad that you are using the word "passionate," and pointing out that the passions of the North and South diverged. Think about the idea of passion and expression, especially in the South, as we talk about the growth of the Romantic movement in American Lit.
ReplyDeleteI really like your thinking on what defines patriotism. It gave a better understanding of the reason why the southerners went to such extremes for their wants in society. What I wanted to ask is, do you think that the southern patriotism was the justification of their cause? What I mean is that because they had passionate support for what they were doing they used that as the tool for persuasion.
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