Warm-up: Look at the image on your desk. What is being remembered and honored? Why might someone feel compelled to remember or honor this event/person?

Monuments and Memorials

Other ways to remember and honor… Buildings: The Junior High building formerly known as the Carr Building

Street Names

Schools: Wisdom High School…formerly called Robert E. Lee High School

The Lost Cause Cause of Civil War= succession & states rights…not slavery African Americans were loyal servants who loved their masters and were unprepared for emancipation Confederate Army not really defeated…they were overwhelmed by the numbers of the Union Army Confederate soldiers were heroic and saintly…especially Robert E. Lee Southern women sanctified by their personal sacrifice of family members to the war

Monuments of the New South Era Review over your monuments that you researched earlier. Write the names of your monuments in the appropriate place on the large poster. If the name of one of your monuments is already there, DO NOT write it again.

Consider the following questions: Why were there so many statues commemorating the Confederacy erected during this “New South” era? Many of the monuments erected during this time period celebrate the American War of Independence. Why might this be a popular subject for memorials during this time? Generally speaking, what was the stated purpose for the construction of the Confederate monuments? What else may be motivating the construction of the monuments?

What’s Your Position? Leave Confederate Monuments alone. Remove all Confederate Monuments. Keep the monuments but put them in historical context? NOW…move to the area of the classroom with the sign that BEST represents your point of view. As a group, create a written statement outlining your argument. Be prepared to share this with the class.

Wrap-up: Comments & Questions

NC Law Protects Monuments & Memorials from Removal. Only the General Assembly may remove a monument or memorials from publically owned land.

Final product: A Letter to Your elected Officials