What are the Meanings of the Confederate & Union Flags?
The Union used the same basic flag design throughout the Civil War, while the Confederacy went through several variations. Neither side removed stars (representing states) from its flag during the war. Abraham Lincoln thought that would legitimize secession, and Southerners believed they would regain captured states upon winning the war.
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Features
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Both Union and Confederate flags had red and white stripes with stars on a blue field. Both were rectangular, although the Confederate infantry battle flag was square so it could be easily folded.
Tradition
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The Union flag's symbolism remained unchanged since 1776---13 stripes for the original colonies and a blue square containing one star for every state.
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Types
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The Confederacy had a battle flag and a lesser-known national flag.
History
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The Confederate national flag originally had two red stripes separated by a white stripe and 13 stars in a circle on a blue field.The stars stood for the 11 Confederate states and Southern-sympathetic Missouri and Kentucky. Confused for the Union flag, it became all white with the battle flag in the upper left corner. With the white flag mistaken for surrender, a red vertical stripe was added opposite the battle flag.
Misconceptions
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The battle flag was red with 13 stars on a blue X, known as the Southern Cross. The original "T" cross on the flag was dropped to show religious tolerance.
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