History Memes

that the US Civil War was fought over […] "States' Rights".

It was. The right of states to allow slavery and be racist.
(/s)

Also, slave states wanted the federal government to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act on non-slave states. Which is rather the opposite of states' rights.

Bizarrely persistent because there are groups actively dedicated to promoting that idea. It's known as "the lost cause" and its biggest proponent are The Daughters of the Confederacy and the KKK

The United Daughters of the Confederacy played a significant role in whitewashing this history:

The United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) has played a major role in shaping how the Civil War and the Confederacy are remembered, especially in the Southern United States. Their activities—fundraising for monuments, sponsoring school‑textbook revisions, and promoting “Lost‑Cause” narratives—have often downplayed slavery as the central cause of secession and highlighted states’ rights, Southern honor, and heroic Confederate figures instead.

Starting in the late‑19th century, the UDC financed statues, plaques, and memorials that portrayed Confederate leaders as noble defenders of liberty. These monuments became focal points for public memory, reinforcing a view of the Confederacy that emphasized bravery rather than the defense of slavery.

Throughout the early‑to‑mid‑20th century, the UDC reviewed and edited school textbooks, inserting language that framed the war as a struggle over constitutional issues and “Southern way of life.” By the 1950s, many state‑approved histories still echoed this perspective, marginalizing the role of enslaved people and the economic motives behind secession.

The Lost Cause is a post‑Civil War Southern narrative that romanticizes the Confederacy, portraying its fight as noble defense of states’ rights and Southern honor while minimizing slavery’s role, and fostering white supremacy through monuments, education, and cultural memory. It also legitimizes the myth of heroic generals and lost glory.

In its 1900 constitution the group declared its purpose “to preserve the memory of the Confederate soldiers and to foster the ideals of the Southern race.” Caroline Goodlett, a founder, wrote that the UDC would “protect the honor of the white man and the true history of the South.” 

I think even more damning against the 'states' rights' argument is that at least one (I stopped at finding one, lol) confederate state constitution explicitly disallowed abolishing slavery, so that state literally didn't have the right to make their own decision on the matter down the line, lol.

Used to be, when racists had to keep their feelings on the down low. Haven't heard "state's rights" in ages. And I'm in the Deep South.

Political issue: "We want to keep slavery legal"

Economic issue: "If we abolish slavery, the economy will suffer"

Social issue: "We're racist"

Remember the Alamo!

When a bunch of racist white guys died fighting to be independent from Mexico because Mexico wouldn't let them own slaves.

Just for you :)

Not sure about their constitution, but Mississippi's articles of secession are pretty fucking clear too.

Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery-- the greatest material interest of the world. Its labor supplies the product which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth.

It's always the C.H.U.D.s who think they're so superior...

secession means to split away

succession means to follow (the heir follows his deceased father on the throne)