Why dont Americans mark their Civil War like the British do WW2?

[John Winter]

Why don't Americans mark their Civil War like the British do WW2?

A POINT OF VIEW

A Point of View: Why don't Americans mark their Civil War like the British do WW2? - BBC News

 

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[RGINN]

Probably because that's two different type conflicts. The majority of my family 'fought' for the South. We felt that was a rich man's war, we didn't own slaves, and we really wanted no part of any of it. Didn't matter, they came and got you out of your field and you were now a Confederate soldier. Bring your own equipment. Maybe other folks have a different view of it, and good for them. I see nothing to mark about it. The only way my family 'mark' it I guess, is on Memorial Day. We call this 'Decoration Day' and it originally started as decorating the graves of rebel soldiers killed in battle. Then it went on to putting flowers on the graves of all who had passed on, and got called Memorial Day. These days it appears Memorial Day means 3 day weekend, go to the lake, get drunk and raise hell. I guess all our ancestors would be proud.

 

[TheRingFinder]

I'm wondering why an English writer is concerned with this? Non of his business, must of been a slow news day for his magazine?

 

[CincinnatiKid]

We "mark" the Civil War in many ways, as the Civil War touched every American differently.
Some do so quietly and privately. A huge display doesn't make it more meaningful.
The Brits should mind their own on this topic. Without US, their accent might sound German.
Peace ✌

 

[Uncle Jeff]

Short answer, Because half the country is still upset they lost!

 

[Red James Cash]

Heres a better question.Why dont the British celebrate the American revolution like we do?

 

[DavidGC]

. . . because it was a war where 600,000 Americans died killing each other.
We do recognize important anniversaries of specific battles, but not with a holiday. There are ceremonies at the battlefield memorials and you might see a mention in the media. Actually, it might not be a bad idea for us to have a national holiday honoring the people who died in that conflict -- from both sides -- as a way to remind us that there are better ways to resolve our conflicts.
It also cannot go without mention that these people all died because one race of people enslaved another -- many on one side fighting to maintain the status quo and many on the other who fervently wanted it abolished. There is not much to celebrate in such a large scale carnage essentially caused because we could not bring ourselves to find a way, as a nation, to stop the barbaric practice of slavery once and for all.

 

[Jason in Enid]

Heres a better question.Why dont the British celebrate the American revolution like we do?

This is a much more important question!

 

[kingvegan]

Heres a better question.Why dont the British celebrate the American revolution like we do?

hehe. I know it is meant as a joke but it really does answer his question. I mean it would be kinda odd for Mississippi to celebrate getting crushed.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Why don't Americans mark their Civil War like the British do WW2?

Imagine Churchill had been assassinated five days after VE Day? There was little joy in a victory over ourselves and that took all the remaining celebration out. We have Memorial Day that was originally to remember fallen Civil War soldiers.

What do the British do to commemorate and "celebrate" their Civil War (Roundheads vs. Cavaliers)?


Sadly, depending where you travel we seem to be ongoing with our Civil War. Enemy flags still fly in many parts.

 

[LuckyLarry]

The answer is (MUCH) simpler than all that, America's Civil War was fought to obtain the majority of Congress via personal wealth of plantation owners vs wealthy industrialization in the north. It was political and had nothing to do with slavery, and slavery continued thereafter too, to include Blacks owning White slaves (Paddies). Who won? That's easy too, in spite of all the lies told otherwise in (government) schools, the republicans kept the House of Congress and they maintained it for decades too, just as they do today. Who in their right mind would care about Congressional History beside a Historian anyway? In short, it is embarrassing to even think about all those people getting killed because of a political power struggle between and among wealthy politicians. The South won the war, although the North won most of the battles. US History 101

 

[Escape]

I think its low key because it was so tragic. It still fills people with sadness.

 

[Higgy]

Take is easy on good ol' JW, guys. He's a fine writer and a gentleman. I'm sure he didn't understand the impact his question would have on many of us.

Remember your Luft and Ingham?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

You'd also have to look back and see how we commemorated the Civil War in 1915 or 1925 to compare an event like WW2 to current time.

1915


1925



And half the country celebrates our Civil War like Germany and Japan do WW2. ;-)

 

[releventchair]

Here in the north the G.A.R. posts held frequent events. Towns vied for the privilege of being hosts of encampments.
Southerners held reunions also and in time the two joined for other gatherings.
As veterans fade so too the true emotion of their realities. Experience surreal for those not involved. Memorial day origins was the civil war.. Different days north and south. Originally called decoration day.
We should note the war so "we"recognize it. For impressing those from other countries who think it under represented, not so much. .
For the approximately 350,000 that died and their families and their families and their families....and today's relations, absolutely.
Too we should note it when we disagree over states rights. Or choose unyielding sides of inequality.

Visitors are welcome to pop in and visit Gettysburg. While only a faint glimpse of long ago events, the war is remembered.
Civil War Veterans' Reunions - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
1913 Gettysburg reunion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

We don't consider the Stars and Bars an enemy flag. It always flies below the American flag when both are displayed, it is strictly pride in our heritage...

I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of The United States of America from all enemies foreign and domestic when I enlisted in our military, I carry that oath to my death bed, but that doesn't mean I forsake my heritage. My great grandfather on my mother's side fought for the Confederacy in the Infantry from Florida...

 

[John Winter]

Higgy said:

Take is easy on good ol' JW, guys. He's a fine writer and a gentleman. I'm sure he didn't understand the impact his question would have on many of us.

Thank you Higgy for your kind words and understanding. You are quite right in what you say. I try not to be a passenger on this forum (with only links to my blog) and like to contribute by introducing subjects and commenting on items that I think may interest members. On this occasion I am simply the messenger for an article that appeared in the BBC magazine. Sure stirred up a hornets' nest though!

 

[longcut]

thanks Treasure Hunter for saying that .......... You probably saved me from getting kicked off the this board , cause I wasn't gonna be near as diplomatic as you were ............

 

[RGINN]

I won't be hard on JW, but I was wonderin what prompted him to ask that question. I don't know much about the English, although apparently some of my ancestors came from there. My maternal grandpa's last name was Roseberry. He learned about a Lord Roseberry in England and liked to point out he was probably related to English royalty. I am impressed that it seems those folks can go out and detect and find Viking coins, Roman silver caches, etc, in an afternoon and just another day in the field for them. That's pretty cool.

 

[John Winter]

I won't be hard on JW, but I was wonderin what prompted him to ask that question.

I've explained that earlier, and had no ulterior motive.
I thought an Englishman's view might be interesting for Americans.