What is the myth of the lost cause?

The Lost Cause myth was a narrative that emerged after the American Civil War, perpetuated mainly by Southern whites, to romanticize and glorify the Confederate cause. It sought to downplay the role of slavery in the conflict, portray the Confederacy as defending states' rights, and romanticize the Southern way of life. The Lost Cause myth aimed to portray the Confederacy as noble and victimized, leading to the preservation of white supremacy and segregation in the post-war South.