There were three different "National Flags" authorized by the Confederate government, none of which is the "Rebel Flag" you see today. That flag seen today called the Confederate Flag or the Rebel Flag is actually the Confederate Battle Flag. It was created by an officer of the Confederate Army, for use by the Army. Rach regiment of civil war armies had its own flag, which was an important item, not just a symbol. The armies used linear tactics, and the flag near the center of each regiment was a visible indicator of where the soldiers were supposed to be. The unit's flag was also important as a rallying point, if the unit attacked and was driven back. There is a famous Civil War song, "Rally 'Round The Flag, Boys" which is what the soldiers did after an unsuccessful attack. The Rebel Battle Flag, so popular today, was created after the First Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas), because during that battle it became apparent that the "First National" Confederate Flag looked a LOT like the US Flag, under the smoky conditions of thousands of men discharging black powder weapons all over the field. So, General Beauregard designed the Confederate Battle Flag for use by army units, a design which could not be confused with the US flag. Confusion over the flags was a serious issue, because it could cause "friendly fire" incidents, or cause troops to allow an enemy unit to draw too near believing they were friends due to misidentifying their flag. In the east, in General Lee's army, the Battle Flags were usually square, four feet on each side. In the west, the more familiar rectangular patern flag was used. Sometimes today people will call the Rebel Flag (the Confederate Battle Flag) "The Stars and Bars", which is wrong. "The Stars and Bars" were the First National Confederate Flag, the one which cold be easily confused with the US flag under battlefield conditions. It had a blue field with stars on it in the upper left, just like the US flag, but instead of 13 stripes it had three broad "bars", one red, one white, and one red. The "Second National" Flag was designed for use by the Confederate Navy. It was a white flag, and instead of a blue field with stars on it in the upper left corner, it had a representation of the army's battle flag. But because it was a white flag, it could be confused as a completely white flag signifying surrender, so a broad red vertical stripe was added up and down the other side of the flag from the field, and this was the "Third National" flag.
The Confederate States of America had 3 different versions of their National Flag. The common flag most familiar as a "Rebel flag" was actually the battle flag carried by each regiment to help identify the unit. Each regiment usually carried their regimental battle flag and the National flag. Names of the National FlagsFirst National FlagSecond National FlagThird National Flag Other Battle Flags were designed based on the individual state from where the unit was from. Each design had a name, usually the name of their commanding general or the Army. Thus the Army of Tennessee had adopted a Blue flag with a White Disc in the center and wide white trim and it became known as the Army of Tennessee flag. The soldiers from Kentucky formed into a unit and adopted a flag that was identified as the flag of the Kentucky Brigade. Before the war really started, the first flag used by the early Confederate States was the "Bonnie Blue Flag" which consisted of a blue flag with a White Star.
Capturing the enemy's flag was long linked with morale, to the point that men would die to prevent the flag being even in danger of capture. Military trainers simply used this idea and practised it as an exercise.
Such a flag is called a national flag.
The "rebel flag" is the red flag with the blue X crosss with 13 stars. The 13 stars represent the 13 confederate states. This was also called the battle flag for the Stars and Bars as it was the flag used in battle to identify the regiment. They also carried the Confederate States National flag, which underwent 3 different designs---one of which included the Stars & Bars in the corner. Today the Rebel Flag has become to symbolize Southern heritage, people who want to party, anti-establishment, Klu Klux Klan, motorcycle gangs, SkinHeads and a many other rebellious causes. If you look up KKK photos of the 50's and 60' you wil see NO Confederate Flags present. Only the American flag was carried until the klan was abolished. The new klan is not the same as it was in the past. The original KKK was mostly Northern men from Ohio and Indiana and I hear a lot of klaverns still exist there. During the 1920's, the Klan was a large organization that politicians could not ignore. Most of the members were from the northern states.
YesAdded: Exactly WHICH Confederate flag is being referred to? The so-called battle flag - OR - the national emblem of the Confederate States (sometimes referred to as "The Bonnie Blue" - OR - one of the MANY other flags flown and/or used by the individual Confedrate States and/or their military forces?Additional: Is there a citation for reference for the original answer.
The Confederate States of America.
The flag identified in modern times as the Confederate flag was never actually used as a national flag. It was used as a Confederate Navy Jack from 1863 to 1865. It was, however, used as a battle flag by the Armies of Tennessee and Northern Virginia. It is often erroneously referred to as the Stars and Bars. It gained modern popularity during World War II.
Well I fly it because it symbolizes a governmental system and values I believe in.
It's the colors of the American flag, and also the colors of the Confederate flag, which used to be displayed as part of the North Carolina flag.
The Confederates had more then one flag but the one flag that comes to mind today is the stars and bars flag. The one found on the Dukes of Hazzard Car The General Lee. Was first used during battle's, making it there battle flag. Flaging high into the battle feild.
The flag was important during the war because it was a symbol of the new country; the Confederate States of America. However, do you mean why is it so popular today?? Most people are familiar with the Confederate Battle Flag. The battle flag, which is different than the Confederate National Flag, was the one carried in battle. Today it is known as the Rebel Flag. This flag has become a symbol of rebelliousness in many forms and many people display it to show they are different. It is used by the KKK and racists. It is still displayed by Southerners who like to show their pride in their country background.
The Georgia state flag used from 1956-2001 featured a Confederate Battle flag, which some Georgia residents found offensive due to its contemporary use as a symbol of white supremacy. From 2001-2003 a redesigned flag was used, but was ranked the worst in a survey of North American flags. A new flag was drafted in 2003 and is still in use today.
The Confederate Flag, used during the American Civil War, was the banner used by the states in the United States representing the Confederacy, or slaveholding states. Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana used the flag before 1812. Joining them after 1812 include the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas, for a total of fifteen states. In the third (and most famous) iteration of the flag, the fifteen stars represent these fifteen states.
The modern Greek flag (with the cross and stripes), was first used during the indipendence war (1822).
The confederate flag is considered to be racist by some people because it represented the south in the civil war, and one of the most memorable issues of that war was that of slavery. The south used black slaves and were defending slavery because their economy was almost solely based on agriculture and they believed they needed slaves to work on the plantations. As a result, the confederate flag is now associated with the support of slavery and the subjugation of African Americans.
There were three different "National Flags" authorized by the Confederate government, none of which is the "Rebel Flag" you see today. That flag seen today called the Confederate Flag or the Rebel Flag is actually the Confederate Battle Flag. It was created by an officer of the Confederate Army, for use by the Army. Rach regiment of civil war armies had its own flag, which was an important item, not just a symbol. The armies used linear tactics, and the flag near the center of each regiment was a visible indicator of where the soldiers were supposed to be. The unit's flag was also important as a rallying point, if the unit attacked and was driven back. There is a famous Civil War song, "Rally 'Round The Flag, Boys" which is what the soldiers did after an unsuccessful attack. The Rebel Battle Flag, so popular today, was created after the First Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas), because during that battle it became apparent that the "First National" Confederate Flag looked a LOT like the US Flag, under the smoky conditions of thousands of men discharging black powder weapons all over the field. So, General Beauregard designed the Confederate Battle Flag for use by army units, a design which could not be confused with the US flag. Confusion over the flags was a serious issue, because it could cause "friendly fire" incidents, or cause troops to allow an enemy unit to draw too near believing they were friends due to misidentifying their flag. In the east, in General Lee's army, the Battle Flags were usually square, four feet on each side. In the west, the more familiar rectangular patern flag was used. Sometimes today people will call the Rebel Flag (the Confederate Battle Flag) "The Stars and Bars", which is wrong. "The Stars and Bars" were the First National Confederate Flag, the one which cold be easily confused with the US flag under battlefield conditions. It had a blue field with stars on it in the upper left, just like the US flag, but instead of 13 stripes it had three broad "bars", one red, one white, and one red. The "Second National" Flag was designed for use by the Confederate Navy. It was a white flag, and instead of a blue field with stars on it in the upper left corner, it had a representation of the army's battle flag. But because it was a white flag, it could be confused as a completely white flag signifying surrender, so a broad red vertical stripe was added up and down the other side of the flag from the field, and this was the "Third National" flag.