--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While the post-Civil War southerners were…" description: "\"“While the post-Civil War southerners were pushing as fast as they could into the New South, were grasping Yankee dollars with enthusiasm, they purifie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e49/frank-e-vandiver-171004_america_while-the-post-civil-war-southerners-wer_1381259.jpg" --- # While the post-Civil War southerners were pushing as fast… ![“While the post-Civil War southerners were pushing as fast as they could into the New South, were grasping Yankee dollars with enthusiasm, they purified their motives in the well of Lost Causism. Politicians found it a bottomless source of bombast and ballots, preachers found it balm and solace to…” quote by Frank E. Vandiver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e49/frank-e-vandiver-171004_america_while-the-post-civil-war-southerners-wer_1381259.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e49/frank-e-vandiver-171004_america_while-the-post-civil-war-southerners-wer_1381259.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e49/frank-e-vandiver-171004_america_while-the-post-civil-war-southerners-wer_1381259.jpg) > ““While the post-Civil War southerners were pushing as fast as they could into the New South, were grasping Yankee dollars with enthusiasm, they purified their motives in the well of Lost Causism. Politicians found it a bottomless source of bombast and ballots, preachers found it balm and solace to somewhat reluctant middle-class morals, writers found it a noble and salable theme.”” [Frank E. Vandiver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-e-vandiver/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Post‑Civil War Southerners chased economic gain, rationalizing motives while politicians exploited rhetoric. **In simple terms:** Southern elites pursued money, masking motives with ideology. Key Takeaway Scrutinize motives behind political and economic actions. Themes history politics economics motivation culture Mood analytical critical Type America:1 Civil war:1 Myth:0 Southerners:1 The-south:0 War:1 War Southerners:1 Southerners Pushing:0 Grasping Yankee:0 Motives Lost:1 When to use this quote - historical research - political analysis - media studies Key Concepts post‑war reconstruction political rhetoric social change Questions to Reflect On - How did economic incentives shape Southern politics? - What role did rhetoric play in post‑war society? A Different Perspective The quote blends many concepts, risking oversimplification. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Grasping Yankee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grasping-yankee-4786276/) [Motives Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motives-lost-4786277/) [Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myth/) [Southerners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southerners/) [Southerners Pushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southerners-pushing-4786275/) [The-south](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-south/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War Southerners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-southerners-4203948/) ## Related quotes > [As a Southerner I would have to say that one of the main importances of the War is that Southerners have a sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-foote/as-a-southerner-i-would-have-to-say-that-one-of-the-main-importances/) [Shelby Foote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-foote/) > [“Because the South can be a dangerous place, especially for those who don’t understand it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-celebi/because-the-south-can-be-a-dangerous-place-especially-for-those-who/) [Shannon Celebi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-celebi/) > [“… a Southerner is BORN into the lifestyle, there just ain’t no choice about it. 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