A Confederate Catechism

by Lyon Gardiner Tyler

This is a reprint of an original 12-page narrow pamphlet published in 1929 by the son of the 10th president of the United States, John Tyler. Lyon Gardiner Tyler was a noted historian, educator and author in his own right - serving as president of William and Mary College for 33 years. He wrote this pamphlet to help correct the propaganda about the South, and his father, by Northern writers and publishers. It is short, concise and should be read by every student, not only in the South, but in the United States.

Genres: History

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr. (August 24, 1853 – February 12, 1935) was an American educator, genealogist, and historian. He was the son of John Tyler, 10th President of the United States. He was 17th president of the College of William and Mary, an advocate of historical research and preservation, and a prominent critic of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.

Reviews

[Brian Symmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the historical reference for the origin of the "Lost Cause" mythology. A mythology that became current in the 1900s when the grandchildren of Confederate soldiers needed a belief system to make them feel better about the death or wounding of their grandfathers and the economic catastrophe that was the outcome of the Civil War.

This book was written while Lyon Gardiner Tyler was president of William and Mary, and published by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1904. The UDC paid to have the book printed and distributed to thousands of schools throughout the South. Tyler was an ardent segregationist and his wife was a childhood friend of President Woodrow Wilson's wife. President Wilson established segragation as a Federal policy.

The book is likely written by Tyler at the request of the UDC of Texas. It stands in opposition to hundreds of published articles by Confederate officers and politicians who wrote books and articles themselves and were interviewed for newspapers and magazines.
The 40th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg was in 1903 and was the subject of a great deal of news and journal articles. People referred to the "Lost Cause" in print 20 years before this, but this book summarizes and promotes the false arguments that have been made to justify slavery and secession.

All of the declarations of secession from Southern states that became part of the Confederacy mentioned slavery as a reason for secession. The entire book is a piece of racist propaganda.

[Bob Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise description of the Confederate cause by a historian, the son of a president, who was in a unique position to understand the political situation of the time.

This is a rapid read giving the basics for the War Between the States and Lincoln's ineptitude for resolving the situation.

[Virginia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book for people who want the truth of history. Great educational book for school age children.