Southern Union/Culture

The culture of the Southern Union was, before the Second American Civil War, a subculture of the United States. Following the Southern Union's secession during the conflict, what was then known as the American South gradually transformed to become unique from the Peoples' Union of America, Legion of America and even Texas. Southern culture is rich in influence and history, going as far back as the 1700s and encompassing a wide range of sub-groups, including influences from Black, Latin, English, French and even German cultures.
== “Reason of Identity” ==
Arguably formed back after the tumultuous Spanish-American War and split of the National Dignity Party, the idea that the culture of the Southern United States was distinct enough to validate its succession from Washington was small, but as the People’s Rights Party grew, so did the principle, known as the “Reason of Identity”. 
Since the 1900s, the Reason of Identity was used as a common rallying cry for Southern Separatism, as well as accusations of religious and cultural persecutions by Northern states. 
== People ==
Since the late 1800s, the South has seen a continual shift in cultural diversity through an influx of European migration, which only ended in the 1910s due to political violence and economic instability.
The Gulf Coast is especially diverse, hosting a wide range of Spanish-speaking communities from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and all across South America. The biggest dominant ethnic in the Union are Anglo-Americans, being present in the region since the first days of British colonization, especially in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, while also containing a sizable amount of German, Jewish, French and Native American minorities.
== Religion ==
In the Union and it’s constitution, it outlines and declares Baptism to be the official state religion, with an overwhelming majority of the state’s population being a part of the Southern Baptist Church.
== Regional cultures ==
In many states and counties, regional diversity is high between the various ethnic groups. Louisiana, specifically New Orleans is considered the cultural capital of the South, due to its rich history and outside influences of the French, Spanish and British. Since the war of independence the Union has embraced this cultural diversity, encouraging immigration from across the world, in part due to the huge exodus of people from the South following the civil war, while also promoting the city as a tourist destination.
== Conflict ==
Category:American Topics