The Army of Northern Virginia developed the Confederate battle flag because the 1st Official Confederate national flag (see figure 1& 2), often referred to as the Stars and Bars, closely resembled the American flag (see figure 4). This resemblance (especially with no prevailing wind) caused confusion on the battlefield. The newly developed battle flag featured the cross of St. Andrew (St. Andrew was martyred by being crucified on an X-shaped cross) and was next to impossible to confuse with the Stars and Stripes in battle. The new battle flag was nicknamed the Southern Cross. The stars represented the eleven states actually in the Confederacy, plus Kentucky and Missouri.
The Confederate Southern Cross has been described as a proud emblem of Southern heritage and a somber reminder of slavery and racism. More than 130 years after the final shots of the War Between the States, the symbol of the Confederate Southern Cross is still a powerful topic throughout the South. Presently, a new battle is underway to either eliminate it or preserve it. Problems rein once again on the battlefield. However, the problems are not over the resemblance of two flags. They are now over what the Southern Cross represents to each American and whether it should remain in public view. .
In 1991, the NAACP passed a resolution that stated the Southern Cross was a racist symbol that reminded Blacks about slavery. It also stated the flag was offensive to all Americans and should be removed from all public properties. Since the passage of the resolution, the NAACP have had a successful campaign in accomplishing their goal. The flag is no longer flown above the state house in South Carolina after a successful boycott of that state. Leaders of the NAACP had vowed to boycott all businesses in South Carolina until the flag was removed. .
The flag is also no longer a part of the Georgia state flag (see figure 6). In 2001, former Gov.