The Myth of the Lost Cause is a pseudo ideology that promotes the theory that the cause of the Confederate States during the 1860s American Civil War was heroic and just. It justifies the actions of southerners during the civil war based on the belief that they need to keep the right to own African-American slaves because they help the economic state of the country prosper.
The Lost Cause itself is the interpretation of the American Civil War by the Confederates, which they perceive as a noble cause, portraying their army as exemplary. The theory advocates claimed that slavery was not the leading cause of the war, but rather the secession, as well stating that slaves were loyal to their owners, not ready for freedom. The Lost Cause supporters romanticized the “Old South” and praised the Confederate army by commonly misinterpreting historical facts.
Nowadays, historians label the Lost Cause a legend and do not perceive it as a valid fact or theory. However, the myth remains a prominent example of public memory valuable to some Southerners who reconcile about the Confederate past. Even though the legend has lost its support from scholars, it continues to be a crucial part of Civil War History as an alternative perception of it.
Moreover, the Civil War still holds an impact on the modern life of Americans. The cruel battles of the mid-1860s marked the beginning of the tolerance era toward the African-Americans, creating a more compassionate and integrated society in both North and South. Furthermore, the war between the states made America one united, indivisible nation, showing that society is only powerful when it is allied.