*How Southern Socialites Rewrote Civil War History*

There have been a number of short videos released that explore the history of Confederate monuments, but this one takes a step back to acknowledge the crucial role that the UDC played in not only erecting these monuments, but in perpetuating the Lost Cause through the mid-twentieth century. This video was produced by Coleman Lowndes of Vox.

I spent some time chatting about the topic via Skype and I am pleased that a few clips made it into the final cut, but I am relieved that Coleman took my advice and interviewed historian Karen Cox, who literally wrote the book on the subject.

This video is perfect for the classroom. I especially like the focus on how history textbooks were monitored and influenced by the UDC – perfect for classroom discussion.

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5 comments… add one
  • Jim (Bill) Curry Oct 29, 2017 @ 15:06

    Bullshit—the war was about state rights, Lincoln issued the emacipation AFTER the war was over !!!!!

    • Kevin Levin Oct 29, 2017 @ 15:10

      Well said, Jim. Well said. LOL

  • London John Oct 27, 2017 @ 1:21

    Excellent concise video. “History is written by the victors” – if only that were true! It first struck me how false it is when browsing in a bookshop in Richmond VA in the mid 1980s.
    Some years ago I read about a memorial to the executed war criminal Henry Wirz, the commandant of Andersonville, erected by some southern ladies group in the 19thC, and I wondered if there was an element of southern gentlemen gallantly hiding behind their women’s skirts?

  • Kevin Dally Oct 25, 2017 @ 15:04

    I used to think (a long time ago) that folk don’t like being lied to, and were all taught that honesty was the best policy. I was wrong. The UDC’s DECEPTION seems to know no bounds, they still conform to the misrepresentation of the facts about the Confederacy, and people are to this day still following those lies! I run into it all the time here on FB, it simply amazes me that folk can’t look at the facts, and see thru the deception, they actually keep spreading it! Are enough folk getting the real message about slavery, the Civil War, and the Confederacy?

  • Annette Jackson Oct 25, 2017 @ 9:18

    I am not surprised by any of this, as when I was growing up in California my once liberal father had embraced the Lost Cause. All of my CW veteran ancestors had fought for the Union,so it was a shock to hear my dad defend the Confederacy. I came to realize that unfortunately there was a definite racist aspect to this, at least in his case. I actually believe that is an element that had never left it.

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