The Lost Cause (of the Confederacy)

The Lost Cause is a way some people in the Southern United States have historically interpreted and romanticized the Confederacy and its fight during the Civil War. It portrays the Confederacy’s efforts as noble and just, emphasizing states' rights and defending Southern honor, while minimizing or justifying slavery’s role. This viewpoint arose after the war, aiming to shape regional identity and justify segregation. Critics argue it distorts history by ignoring the central role of slavery in the Confederacy’s cause and perpetuating myths that demean African Americans and justify racial inequality.