Final answer:
The flag symbolized in "The Star-Spangled Banner" represented the survival and resilience of a young, free nation during the War of 1812, particularly the battle at Fort McHenry where the flag remained flying despite the bombardment by British forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The original poem "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key, which later became the United States national anthem, holds deep symbolic meaning. Key penned the poem after witnessing the British bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry in 1814 during the War of 1812 and seeing the American flag - the star-spangled banner - still waving after the battle. This flag represented the resilience and triumph of a young nation, embodying the spirit of liberty and sovereignty amidst the challenges of war.
The star-spangled banner was a testament to the survival and defense of American freedoms, which Key observed and celebrated through his words. Contrary to being a symbol of the Revolutionary War or the oppressed colonies that fought for independence, the flag in the context of Key's poem symbolizes the nation's ongoing fight to preserve its freedoms against foreign attack, in this case, from England. Hence, the correct interpretation of the flag's symbolism in "The Star-Spangled Banner" is its representation of the survival of a young, free nation amidst conflict.