When Were They Built?
A Data-Driven Look at the History of Confederate Monuments in the U.S.
A Common Misconception
While many assume most Confederate monuments were built immediately after the Civil War to mourn the dead, the data reveals a different story. The vast majority were erected decades later, with over 1,500 public symbols still in place today.
publicly-sponsored Confederate symbols, including monuments, plaques, and named buildings, remain in the United States.
Two Waves of Construction
Monument dedication data shows two distinct spikes. The largest wave, peaking from 1900 to 1920, coincided with the height of the Jim Crow era. A second, smaller spike occurred during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s.
Phase 1: The "Mourning" Era
The earliest monuments (1860s-1880s) were primarily funereal. They were modest, often obelisks, and overwhelmingly placed in cemeteries to honor fallen soldiers.
Phase 2: The "Lost Cause" Era
The main boom (1890s-1920s) shifted in purpose and location. Driven by groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy, these monuments promoted the "Lost Cause" narrative and were placed in prominent public spaces like courthouse lawns.
Placement (1890s-1920s)
Dominant Type (1890s-1920s)
Context is Key: A Historical Timeline
The monument spikes were not random. They directly correspond with periods of racial conflict and the reinforcement of white supremacy, first during the establishment of Jim Crow laws and later in "massive resistance" to desegregation.
1890s: Jim Crow Era Begins
Southern states enact laws to enforce racial segregation and disenfranchise Black voters, creating the social context for the first monument boom.
1894: UDC Founded
The United Daughters of the Confederacy is formed, becoming a primary driver in fundraising for and erecting "Lost Cause" monuments in public squares.
1896: Plessy v. Ferguson
The Supreme Court ruling upholds "separate but equal," legally cementing segregation and emboldening the Jim Crow system.
1954: Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court decision ordering the desegregation of schools sparks the "Massive Resistance" movement and the second, smaller wave of monument building.
1960s: Civil Rights Movement
As the movement for Black equality gains momentum, some states and groups respond by erecting new monuments and defiantly flying the Confederate battle flag.
The Landscape Today
Confederate symbols are estimated to remain in public spaces, though this number is in flux.
Recent Removals
Monuments and symbols have been removed, relocated, or renamed since 2015, sparking ongoing national debate.
