Talk:Washington and Lee University

Why wasn't it Washington and Lee University in the Southern Victory timeline? My guess is ths: In OTL, with the South defeated, they felt the need to seek vindication by sneaking the name of Lee or Davis whenever possible. By adding Lee's name along side that of Washington, they were elevating him to the same level. Lee becomes a great American, and Washington becomes a Confederate. They were saying to the North, "Hey Yanks, Lee is no traitor. He's a good American like Washington, and besides, Washington would have been one of us had he beeen around during the war." Of course, Washington didn't try to tear apart the Union; he helped create it.

With the Southern victory, there was no need to sneak Lee's name in place, because he was venerated everywhere. And, Washington was thought of as one of their own, being a Virginian. So, there was no need to try to make Lee a good American, and they also considered Washington to be a Confederate (and I believe so did the Union. I think that I remember Washington no longer being revered on the grounds that he was a Virginian.) so Washington University remains Washington University, and no doubt across the Cottoned Plain somewhere, there is a Lee University. I couldn't resist that Rush spoof. If the CSA surives this current war (I hope not) I wonder if Rush exists, and which country will he exist in. I know he is from Missouri, but I see him as a Confederate windbag all the way.