Were Confederate soldiers terrorists?

[XODUS1914]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

No. You should. Never assume that you disagree with someone because that person is uninformed and needs to research.

I didn't assume anything. While it's a common arguement and /or fact that slavery was an underlying cause for the Civil War, most Americans don't know that most of the Confederate States directly referenced that "pecuilar institution" in their letters of secession. In fact, most Americans in the Southern States have never even seen thier own states' letter, much less the rest of them. Ironically, the "Confederate Flag" as we know it, is not even the original Confederate flag, but that's another story.

But hey, if you don't think Haley Barbour's statement doesn't represent the views of most of the people who fly that flag nowadays, then I'll be more than happy to agree to disagree.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by XODUS1914

I didn't assume anything.

Sure.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by XODUS1914

Ironically, the "Confederate Flag" as we know it, is not even the original Confederate flag, but that's another story.

Which has been discussed quite a few times here at GC.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Which has been discussed quite a few times here at GC.

He wants to inform.

Interestingly enough, this goes back to my original statement:
This isn't the Confederate Flag, itself.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Maybe some people protest the Confederate flag because of its connection, not necessarily to slavery, but its connection to violence from terrorist organizations that are still allowed to demonstrate hatred towards other Americans (true, but whatever). Just a thought.

And my random thought is I wonder how it would have changed history if the French got involved in the Civil War like they almost did, joining the South. Hmm, we'd probably be divided like European countires. Maybe, maybe not.

Oh dear, France. I think things would have been even worse for the Confederacy if France was involved. They had helped during the Revolutionary War, and had their Revolution, Napoleon had Waterloo, and we were still paying them back borrowed money. There was the whole issue in Mexico and Cinco de Mayo and potentially pissing off the British. I could picture Britain supporting the Union just because France was supporting the Confederacy and well. Britain is still ticked at times about the Battle of Hastings. Of course if Britain hadn't done better in the French and Indian War, things could have been different.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Oh dear, France. I think things would have been even worse for the Confederacy if France was involved. They had helped during the Revolutionary War, and had their Revolution, Napoleon had Waterloo, and we were still paying them back borrowed money. There was the whole issue in Mexico and Cinco de Mayo and potentially pissing off the British. I could picture Britain supporting the Union just because France was supporting the Confederacy and well. Britain is still ticked at times about the Battle of Hastings. Of course if Britain hadn't done better in the French and Indian War, things could have been different.

Good point, but if France got involved, I think the North would've lost, and then the United States would be more like little countries/territories with totally different laws. Like Europe. I don't think the British would've gotten involved, because they were offering slaves their freedom if they fought on their side during the Revolutionary War, prior.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Good point, but if France got involved, I think the North would've lost, and then the United States would be more like little countries/territories with totally different laws. Like Europe. I don't think the British would've gotten involved, because they were offering slaves their freedom if they fought on their side during the Revolutionary War, prior.

I really think you underestimate the long standing issues between Britain and France, and how France helping the Confederacy could freak Britain out about Canada and France trying to take it back via Quebec (and also France helped us get free from Britain and become the US). It also goes the other way, lots of Quebec people are still not enthused about Britain taking over before the Revolutionary War, and they are French Canadian, not French Frenchian (thanks for the poutine!). I'll give you the Trent Affair incident, but once the Emancipation Proclamation was signed no European power would help the Confederacy because it was now a slavery issue, and Britain abolished slavery in 1833/34/38 (except a few places), with France and other European nations doing this before and after Britain did.

Granted we still had slavery after the Emancipation Proclamation, Native Americans were still slaves in places like California, and this shouldn't be surprising considering Native Americans weren't considered citizens until 1924 and still couldn't vote in some states after that. Makes the passport joke to leave the rez in Smoke Signals even funnier when one is aware of that. Furthermore some Native Americans owned slaves as well, and tribes and individuals served for both the Union and the Confederacy.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I really think you underestimate the long standing issues between Britain and France

Yeah they hated each other. They were with war with each other more often then they were at peace. Like a friend of mine said, it was a fact of life back then. "The sky is blue, and we are at war with France."

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I really think you underestimate the long standing issues between Britain and France, and how France helping the Confederacy could freak Britain out about Canada and France trying to take it back via Quebec (and also France helped us get free from Britain and become the US). It also goes the other way, lots of Quebec people are still not enthused about Britain taking over before the Revolutionary War, and they are French Canadian, not French Frenchian (thanks for the poutine!). I'll give you the Trent Affair incident, but once the Emancipation Proclamation was signed no European power would help the Confederacy because it was now a slavery issue, and Britain abolished slavery in 1833/34/38 (except a few places), with France and other European nations doing this before and after Britain did.

Granted we still had slavery after the Emancipation Proclamation, Native Americans were still slaves in places like California, and this shouldn't be surprising considering Native Americans weren't considered citizens until 1924 and still couldn't vote in some states after that. Makes the passport joke to leave the rez in Smoke Signals even funnier when one is aware of that. Furthermore some Native Americans owned slaves as well, and tribes and individuals served for both the Union and the Confederacy.

VS, you really know a lot of history. A lot of this, I didn't even know about. I need to read more about other things.