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Several '''Confederate flags''' have existed in history, the most recent one being the most well known. During the [[Civil War]], three successive flags served as the official flag of the [[Confederate States of America]]. While segregationists and white supremacists have used the current flag in their activities, the flag's main purpose was to honor Confederate veterans and for [[The South|Southern]] pride and heritage, and racist groups did not adopt the flag until decades later. These groups have no legitimate relation to the flag, which stands for states rights, Southern pride, and honor.<ref name="usflag.org"/>

Several '''Confederate flags''' have existed in history, the most recent one being the most well known. During the [[Civil War]], three successive flags served as the official flag of the [[Confederate States of America]]. While segregationists and white supremacists have used the current flag in their activities, the flag's main purpose was to honor Confederate veterans and for [[The South|Southern]] pride and heritage, and racist groups did not adopt the flag until decades later. These groups have no legitimate relation to the flag, which stands for states rights, Southern pride, and honor.<ref name="usflag.org"/>

===Confederate States of America===

===Confederate States of America===

:''For a more exhaustive list of flags used by the Confederacy, see [[Confederate States of America#Flags of the Confederacy]]

:''For a more exhaustive list of flags used by the Confederacy, see [[Confederate States of America#Flags of the Confederacy]]

The first official flag of the C.S.A. was called the '''Stars and Bars''' and was adopted in March of 1861.<ref name="usflag.org">[http://www.usflag.org/confederate.stars.and.bars.html Confederate Stars and Bars]. ''usflag.org''. Retrieved December 30, 2016.</ref> The flag was chosen because it resembled the [[Flag of the United States of America|Union flag]].<ref name="historynet.com">Coski, John M. (July 9, 2015). [http://www.historynet.com/embattled-banner-the-convoluted-history-of-the-confederate-flag.htm Embattled Banner: The true history of the Confederate flag]. ''historynet.com''. Retrieved December 30, 2016.</ref> However, the flag quickly became unpopular because it was hard to distinguish from the American flag on the battlefield, making it dangerous to use and causing much confusion.<ref name="usflag.org"/><ref name="historynet.com"/><ref name="sonofthesouth.net">[http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Confederate_Flag.htm Confederate Flag]. ''sonofthesouth.net''. Retrieved December 30, 2016.</ref> Additionally, the flag's resemblance to the Union flag became a liability as the Confederates wanted to show their independence.<ref name="historynet.com"/> Confederate commanders using their own flags on the battlefield in response,<ref name="historynet.com"/> and the flag ceased being official in May of 1863.<ref name="usflag.org"/>

The first official flag of the C.S.A. was called the '''Stars and Bars''' and was adopted in March of 1861.<ref name="usflag.org">[http://www.usflag.org/confederate.stars.and.bars.html Confederate Stars and Bars]. ''usflag.org''. Retrieved December 30, 2016.</ref> The flag was chosen because it resembled the [[Flag of the United States of America|Union flag]].<ref name="historynet.com">Coski, John M. (July 9, 2015). [http://www.historynet.com/embattled-banner-the-convoluted-history-of-the-confederate-flag.htm Embattled Banner: The true history of the Confederate flag]. ''historynet.com''. Retrieved December 30, 2016.</ref> However, the flag quickly became unpopular because it was hard to distinguish from the American flag on the battlefield, making it dangerous to use and causing much confusion.<ref name="usflag.org"/><ref name="historynet.com"/><ref name="sonofthesouth.net">[http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Confederate_Flag.htm Confederate Flag]. ''sonofthesouth.net''. Retrieved December 30, 2016.</ref> Additionally, the flag's resemblance to the Union flag became a liability as the Confederates wanted to show their independence.<ref name="historynet.com"/> Confederate commanders using their own flags on the battlefield in response,<ref name="historynet.com"/> and the flag ceased being official in May of 1863.<ref name="usflag.org"/>

On May 1, 1863,<ref name="historynet.com"/> the second official flag of the C.S.A. was adopted.<ref name="usflag.org"/> It was a white flag with [[Robert E. Lee]]'s Southern Cross on the upper-left corner.<ref name="usflag.org"/> Due to the white background, the flag was often mistaken for a flag of surrender.<ref name="usflag.org"/> It remained in use until March of 1865.<ref name="usflag.org"/>

On May 1, 1863,<ref name="historynet.com"/> the second official flag of the C.S.A. was adopted.<ref name="usflag.org"/> It was a white flag with [[Robert E. Lee]]'s Southern Cross on the upper-left corner.<ref name="usflag.org"/> Due to the white background, the flag was often mistaken for a flag of surrender.<ref name="usflag.org"/> It remained in use until March of 1865.<ref name="usflag.org"/>

On March 4, 1865, the third official flag of the C.S.A. was adopted.<ref name="usflag.org"/> It had the same design as the second flag except for a red stripe running down the fly end of the flag.<ref name="usflag.org"/> It remained the official flag until the end of the Confederacy later that year.<ref name="usflag.org"/>

On March 4, 1865, the third official flag of the C.S.A. was adopted.<ref name="usflag.org"/> It had the same design as the second flag except for a red stripe running down the fly end of the flag.<ref name="usflag.org"/> It remained the official flag until the end of the Confederacy later that year.<ref name="usflag.org"/>

In 1861, Confederate General [[P.G.T. Beauregard]] proposed changing the first official Confederate flag due to its similarity with the Union flag.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> After the Confederate government rejected his idea, he then proposed instituting two official flags: the national flag that was already in use, and a battle flag.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> This idea was accepted, and a battle flag was chosen.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> This flag was known as the '''Southern Cross''' and closely resembled a previous contestant for the first official Confederate flag<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> designed by [[William Porcher Miles]].<ref name="PBSNewsHour"/> The flag became popular among the Confederate Army and the general population.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> The Southern Cross is also known as the battle flag of the [[Army of Northern Virginia]], commanded by [[Robert E. Lee]].<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> Unlike the Confederate flag most used today, the Battle Flag was square-shaped rather than rectangular.<ref name="usflag.org"/><ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/>

In 1861, Confederate General [[P.G.T. Beauregard]] proposed changing the first official Confederate flag due to its similarity with the Union flag.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> After the Confederate government rejected his idea, he then proposed instituting two official flags: the national flag that was already in use, and a battle flag.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> This idea was accepted, and a battle flag was chosen.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> This flag was known as the '''Southern Cross''' and closely resembled a previous contestant for the first official Confederate flag<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> designed by [[William Porcher Miles]].<ref name="PBSNewsHour"/> The flag became popular among the Confederate Army and the general population.<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> The Southern Cross is also known as the battle flag of the [[Army of Northern Virginia]], commanded by [[Robert E. Lee]].<ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/> Unlike the Confederate flag most used today, the Battle Flag was square-shaped rather than rectangular.<ref name="usflag.org"/><ref name="sonofthesouth.net"/>