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00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 512

On February 22, 1863, George Washington’s birthday was celebrated in both the Union and in the Confederacy.  In the Union, Washington was hailed as the father of the country and as a champion of a strong national government. 

In the South, however, Washington was seen as a heroic rebel who had thrown off the chains of a tyrannical government.  Through much of the Civil War, Southern propagandists sought to draw a parallel between America’s war for independence against Britain, and their own struggle against a national government that had allegedly failed to respect their liberties. 

In their proclamations, they borrowed liberally from the Declaration of Independence.  They also were quick to point out that many of the nation’s founding fathers, including Washington, were sons of the South and slave owners.