The Confederate battle flag

[Peter1469]

I think some people misunderstand Robert E. Lee's fealty to the Confederacy.

It had nothing--nothing whatsoever--to do with a specific cause.

This was a time in which just about all Americans believed in the axiom, "My country, right or wrong."

And Robert E. Lee frequently spoke of the Commonwealth of Virginia as his "country." No, not a part of his country; but his entire country. (Yes, even though he fought with the US Army during the Mexican-American War--and, before the outbreak of hostilities in 1861, resigned his commission.)

And Lee said that he simply could not bear the thought of lifting a sword against his own country (even though he opined that Virginia would come to regret its decision to secede).

So he chose to fight for his "country"--the "country" of Virginia.

It wasn't until sometime around WWI that Americans started to give their allegiance to the nation as opposed to their state.

[Newpublius]

Non-responsive.

My post was about Robert E. Lee, and his motivation--not about slavery.

Lee's motivation was he felt his first obligation was to his state. He was offered command of the Union army by Lincoln. Note, Lee absolutely knew that siding with VA and the Confederacy was, for HIM PERSONALLY, an extremely bad move. His estate was in Arlington and would be immediately seized by the Union. Obviously its out great national cemetery today.

[Newpublius]

It wasn't until sometime around WWI that Americans started to give their allegiance to the nation as opposed to their state.

Huge issue for them and right or wrong, MANY were absolutely taught this or to be more were exposed to this at a time when the issue was heightened. Lee was at West Point during the general era of the Nullification Crisis and naturally this was freely discussed. The question of nullification and the right of secession were freely discussed among the students, and Rawle's "View" was that certainly accepted by, at minimum, the Southern students.