“Our first Civil War was primarily about slavery”
Of course it had nothing to do with economics or states rights.
Which, at their heart, had slavery as the cause.
Slavery wasn’t the only issue, but it was the driving one.
“”Our first Civil War was primarily about slavery”
Of course it had nothing to do with economics or states rights.”
I’ve always thought of it as a war fought over the right of secession, i.e., a war of independence. The North basically said “No. You can’t secede” just as England had said to the colonies in the 1770’s. The difference is the “seceding” colonies won their war of independence whereas the confederate states lost theirs.
What I can’t figure out is how we justify forcing states to stay in the union if they want to leave. When the states ratified the constitution did they know they were joining a club they could never quit?
If there are parallels with today, I’d say if LA, Chicago or entire liberal states like CA hate MAGA that much, and don’t want to abide by the constitution (sanctuary cities, abolish 2nd amendment, excessive tax and regulation, gay marriage, etc.), let them secede without a fight.
Califirnia secession would be sad for conservative patriots living in liberal CA, but it’s sad for them already - and not near as painful as a second Civil War. They could choose whether to remain in the new Socialist California, or relocate to a different state.
If Lincoln was truly great he would have spared 650,000 lives and let the confederates secede. Maybe slavery would have persisted a couple decades longer or maybe it wouldn’t have - nobody knows. But we do know 650,000 Americans lives would have been spared.
Let California secede. Hopefully my daughter will move back east if that happens - it would be her choice.
Or manipulative bankers and politicians.
The North did the South an economic favor when they ended slavery because the loss of CHEAP LABOR forced the South to start using machinery and innovation ... Similar to the problem we have with the 3rd world CHEAP LABOR Mexicans and what that's done to agribusiness - keeps them from making better choices...