There were differing perspectives on how genuine patriotism should be and how it should be displayed. Some people, such as shopkeepers, just put out flags and counted that as sufficient patriotism, which some others judged them for. Horace Bushnell, a pastor, argued that patriotism wasn't worth much if it was only brief. He believed that patriotism should be strong and consistent, which others across the country agreed with, and rooted in Christian piety, which was a less consistent belief among others. (Ezra C)

The movement of commercial goods through the US market at the time of the Civil War caused hesitation, as many consumers felt that there was no way to generate authentic patriotic feelings with the exchange of money and goods. This hesitation, however, did limit many consumers from engaging with these products, as flags, paper goods, and other items were popular for the duration of the war. -Sarah M

The Civil War happened to coincide with both the industrialization of America and the rise of consumerism. This led to people using the goods they bought to show their support for the nation during the war. One major way of doing this was by buying the US flag. (Tanner Gillikin).

Making flags and other patriotic items created work for women during the Civil War. Flag making was considered a women’s job during this time, and with the rise of patriotic consumer culture during this time period. Items made in the traditional red, white, and blue made a great deal of profit for women in this time period. (Tanner Gillikin)

When war broke out, men and women in the North were forces to rethink what patriotism was. The consensus was that patriotism was a feeling, which was why it was so important to apply commercial goods to show their patriotism and emotional connection to the country and other Americans. In the North, this idea of patriotism is what helped lead to the merging of patriotism and commerce. (Hank L)

Because of the commercialization of patriotism, the American flag (also referred to as the “Stars and Stripes”) was sold at a high rate. This prompt commercialization of the Stars and Stripes was also partly prompted by Major Robert Anderson, who defended the flag that was sent to New York from Fort Sumter. The commercialization of the American Flag and the defensive emotions people had towards the flag led to the Stars and Stripes to become a powerful object that symbolized patriotism. (Hank L)

Cohen explains that photos of white “slave children” were sold to try to create a “deeper sympathy” among Northerners. Cohen further explains that this was to try to urge northerners to further abolition efforts. (Lauren V.)

It was interesting to learn that making flags provided a chance for flirting. Women personally made flags to gift to soldiers with which they have a personal connection with. Giving them made flags provided an opportunity to feel patriotic while also being romantic and flirtatious. (Hannah E.)

Cohen makes note of how “Quakers found their sympathies strongly enlisted” by the patriotism that arose in support of the war. Comparatively, If the religious pacifism of some Quakers was being shaken by the war, it is easy to believe that the traditional societal norms around consumerism and patriotism would also be blurred. (Ian Tiblin)

Stationery packages, songbooks, flags, and souvenirs are evidence of the “emotional expression” that Northerners had found when trying to better express their patriotism during the war. With flags specifically, It appears that this trend of consumerism was more striking in the mind of some Northerners than the traditional role of women as flag makers. (Ian Tiblin)

In this period, Northern Americans were experimenting with the idea that their consumer choices define them. They were using their patronization of patriotic consumer goods to signal to other people their dedication to the nation. (Sophia)

In many cases, this need for patriotic merchandise resulted in home efforts by women who would sew flags and send them to the front, but in the growing consumer culture, home-made goods were not being produced on a broad enough scale to meet demand. As a result, retailers producers stepped in to mass produce products for (one of) the first times in American history. (Sophia)

The rise of commercialism did not come without criticism. Some cynics worried that the mass production of the American flag cheapened the symbolism and saw it as a sign that the union would be destroyed by greed. In the production of patriotic songs to be sold, many thought that song could only be impactful if it organically became popular with the American people (as opposed to being sold to them). There was significant push-back to the rise in commercialism.