Capture the Flag: A Political History of American Patriotism

by Woden Teachout

Americans honor the flag with a fervor seen in few other The Stars and Stripes decorate American homes and businesses; wave over sports events and funerals; and embellish everything from politicians' lapels to the surface of the moon. But what does the flag mean ? In Capture the Flag , historian Woden Teachout reveals that it has held vastly different meanings over time. It has been claimed by both the right and left; by racists and revolutionaries; by immigrants and nativists. In tracing the political history of the flag from its origins in the American Revolution through the present day, Teachout demonstrates that the shifting symbolism of the flag reveals a broader shift in the definition of American patriotism. A story of a nation in search of itself, Capture the Flag offers a probing account of the flag that has become America's icon.

Genres: American History, History, Nonfiction, Politics, World History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Steve Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

At first I was a bit irritated with Teachout’s book for what I thought was casual sloppiness. At the beginning of the second chapter, on page 43, she describes the practice of the British navy’s program of “Impressment” during the War of 1812. This was a program whereby British naval vessels would stop American merchant ships and essentially kidnap their sailors for forced labor on British vessels of war.

Teachout states the Brits impressed American “soldiers”, versus civilian sailors. This isn’t just sloppiness. It’s ignorance. To not know that a soldier is a land bound warrior, and to not know the Brits forcibly conscripted civilians versus naval personnel from American warships is inexcusable. Did she imagine, perhaps, that British marines landed on American shores and took our soldiers at gunpoint?

In chapter 5, titled “Flag Of Race”, Teachout states on page 147 that President Warren G. Harding was sworn in as a member of the Ku Klux Klan. She writes: “The point was driven home when President Warren Harding became a Klansmen (sic) that year, sworn in by Simmons in the Green Room of the White House.” Directly following the sentence is a footnote marking numbered 31.

Her footnote listing for #31 lists it as a quote for H.L. Mencken from page 1 of Chalmers, “Hooded Americanism”. The H.L. Mencken quote on page 147 is directly above the claim that Harding was inducted into the KKK, and is not footnoted. There is no proper footnote for the claim Harding was inducted into the KKK.

But the claim Harding was so inducted does exist outside this work, and is disputed by historians. It is based on an alleged deathbed confession in the late 1940’s by a dying Alton Young, a former Imperial Klokard of the KKK. The confession was said to have been recorded by Stetson Kennedy, a journalist, who in 1985 related this in a personal communication to Wyn Craig Wade. Wade is the author of “The Fiery Cross”, a book on the KKK. Wade was a clinical psychologist by training, not an historian, and his work is a popular press publication.

Wade is one of Teachout’s references. Footnote 32 references Wade’s book a full two and a half large paragraphs later and on the page following the Harding allegation. Teachout mentions nothing of Stetson Kennedy. He isn’t referenced anywhere in her book.

There is more than enough evidence to suggest that Harding wouldn’t have had the KKK’s support. Harding, a Republican, failed to take the south and only garnished 40% of the vote in those southern states he lost to the Democrats. On 21 October, 1921 Harding delivered a speech calling for racial equality in Birmingham, Alabama to a segregated crowd of 30,000. The 10,000 blacks in attendance cheered him wildly. The whites did not, and he lost Alabama in the election. The Republican party’s platform for 1920–the year of Harding’s election and the platform he supported-specifically called for an end to lynching.

This from a member of the KKK?

The claim that Harding was a member of the KKK has never gained any traction, and isn’t credible. It is nothing more than hearsay. It is irresponsible to make such a claim in an era where racists and fascists continually scream “fake news” and who work to undercut the legitimacy of universities and intellectuals. It gives the most bigoted, loathsome and dangerous elements of our society fodder for social media.

“Capture The Flag” cites secondary sources written by non-historians for the popular press. It promotes a non-historical legend. It is poorly and incorrectly annotated, and contains at least one glaringly silly error. Whatever virtues the book has are stained by these flaws. I was extremely disappointed.

Teachout has a PhD in history from Harvard. She should have known better. She could have done better. This could have been a great book.

Lastly… The flag showed on the dust jacket that the two Civil War soldiers are fighting over?

It’s the original “Stars and Bars” flag of the Confederacy.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read but full of history worth learning and thought-provoking insights. The flag is a symbol that has been claimed by those fighting for freedom and those supporting authority, by those espousing a nativist nationalism and by those demanding that America honor its promises to be fair to all its people regardless of race, sex or political beliefs.

Overall, a good reminder that, despite the success of reactionary forces in associating themselves with the flag after the Vietnam War and into the Reagan era, the left would be well advised to overcome its reluctance to wave Old Glory. Patriotism may be the only thing that can unite Americans in a project to keep perfecting our national union and the flag is that project's most potent symbol, a symbol that evokes powerful emotions of love and affection that can cast a glow on those who carry it.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and enjoyable book about the history of patriotism in the United States and how that patriotism has variously been expressed through the symbol of the American flag.

[Joleen Erb-Abplanalp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking examination of American patriotism that doesn’t shout—it unpacks. Teachout blends history with cultural critique, revealing how flags, pledges, and rituals shape national identity more than we realize.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew President Warren Harding was inducted into the KKK in the Green Room of the White House? I sure didn't until I read this book.

Author Woden Teachout does a fantastic job of showing the varied political uses of the American flag throughout U.S. history. If only American history classes in high school touched upon scenes from history like those in Teachout's book... I truly think that putting a more personal spin on history would help more children and teenagers enjoy history lessons more.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating stories about the flag; extremely well written - makes the past come alive!

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history of the Stars & Stripes as a political symbol and how various factions have successfully used it to promote their political or cultural cause.

[Stuart Lutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have an interest in the use of Old Glory, and I enjoyed, on the whole, Dr. Teachout's book. I wrote her a letter about the book, and she was kind enough to reply with a long, handwritten letter.