Final answer:
The claim that the South 'won the peace' after the Civil War is complex, with the South maintaining its social hierarchy and enacting Jim Crow laws, which could be seen as winning from a certain perspective, despite the broader systemic issues and continued struggles for African Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assessing the Claim: The South's Win in Peace Post-Civil War
The claim that “Although the South lost the Civil War, it managed to win the peace” can be assessed by looking at the immediate and long-term impacts of the war on Southern society and politics. After the Civil War, the Confederate states faced devastation, but they also retained a strong social hierarchy and cultural identity. The reconstruction efforts made by the North were met with resistance, and eventually, Southern states enacted Jim Crow laws that preserved many pre-war societal norms, particularly racial segregation, which can be construed as a victory in peace. However, this peace was one defined by the systemic oppression of African Americans and the perpetuation of white supremacy.
Historical narratives such as by Gary Gallagher and accounts from personalities like Elizabeth Pendleton Hardin and Mary Chesnut illustrate the varied perspectives and experiences during and after the war. It's clear that not all Southerners were united in their fondness for the Confederacy or the aftermath of its defeat. Furthermore, although the military advantages such as defensive positions and military leaders presented opportunities for the South during the war, defeat was the ultimate outcome, which significantly shaped the post-war landscape.
Finally, while the war was over in 1865, the effort to secure freedom and construct a new bi-racial democracy was an ongoing battle. The aftermath of the Civil War was complex and involved both losses and victories for the South, largely depending on one's perspective of what constituted “winning” the peace.