The Dukes of Hazzard stars John Schneider and Tom Wopat are responding to renewed criticism over the Confederate flag depicted on their character’s 1969 Dodge Charger. The car was dubbed “the General Lee,” after Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
The thirteen stars represent the general lee flag of the CSA (Confederate States of America), which seceded from the United States in 1861. The CSA was founded when eleven southern states argued that slavery should not be extended into new territories that the United States was annexing in the West. The rebels also believed that the Union was dragging its feet on abolishing slavery. The CSA’s flag is often perceived as a symbol of white supremacy, and the flag has long been used in protests against civil rights and other social issues.
This nylon flag is digitally dyed for excellent outdoor performance and durability. The flags have a standard canvas header with brass grommets and feature four rows of lock stitching on the fly end. The colors are fast-drying and fade resistant. This is a great flag for general lee hats, costumes, and other general use.
The General Lee Flag: Exploring Its Legacy Beyond ‘The Dukes of Hazzard
According to former cast members and builders involved with the show, about 325 General Lees were used for filming of The Dukes of Hazzard. Each car was built to a strict specification. The GM mechanics who built the cars received a lot of fan mail that nit-picked each detail of the build. In addition, Warner Brothers’ staff mechanics had to make sure all the tires were matched.