How long did it take for southerners in the former Confederacy to begin seeing themselves as Americans again and re-adopt patriotic symbols like the stars and stripes?

by Jacques_Hebert

I was listening to the song 'Good ol Rebel' which is a (purposely over-the-top, to be fair) lament of the loss in the war, and includes a line about hating the 'striped banner'.

It got me thinking, because I've been to the south, and American flags (along with 'God bless America' stickers and other such symbols) are everywhere. I can't imagine this was the case in the immediate aftermath of the civil war, when federal troops were occupying the south and the US flag must have been seen as the standard of the enemy.

Did it have to wait until the generation that had fought the war had largely died off or at least aged out of public life?

skadefryd

You might take a look at this thread, especially the comment by u/The_Alaskan, who used Fourth of July celebrations as a proxy for "patriotism". It seems the short answer to your question is "World War 1, but in some cases as late as World War 2". Further movement away from sectionalism/regionalism and toward national patriotism would continue into the late 20th century. Of course linking that thread is not intended to deter further discussion.