Why is Southern History so Romanticized?

[coalition_unwilling]

12. A couple books you might want to check out, if you have

a chance:

W.J. Cash's "The Mind of the South" (1941) - oldie but goodie that deconstructs the Cavalier myth

Alan Nolan's "Lee Considered" (1996) - totally destroys the myths that have grown up around Robert E. Lee.

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I think you are asking two separate (but connected) questions:

Why is the South (Lee) remembered when Northerners of similar or superior stature have faded?

and

Why is the South romanticized (at the expense of reality)?

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To the first question, I would say I'm not sure I agree. I think John Brown is as well remembered as Robert E. Lee, although Brown conquered far less territory and commanded far fewer men. Abraham Lincoln and U.S. Grant are both equal in memory to Lee, as is probably W.T. Sherman

To the second question, I blame historical ignorance and a lack of critical thinking skills. The ante-bellum South is certainly not romanticized by African Americans, nor by anyone with more than a passing acquaintance with the history of the time.