eyedigress:
"I do not disagree that conditions in the south were wrong,
but I do disagree with the perception that DC had the authority to force states to stay in the union." Except, "DC" made no moves to "force states to stay in the union" until after:
- Confederate states began seizing dozens of major Federal properties, including forts, ships, arsenals & mints.
- Confederates began threatening Union officials and firing on Union ships (i.e., Star of the West).
- Confederates started war at Fort Sumter.
- Confederates formally declared war on the United States, May 6, 1861.
In 1861 there were 35 battles fought
according to this list.
Of those, 25 were in the Union states & territories of Missouri, Kentucky, Oklahoma & West Virginia.
In 1861 more Confederate soldiers died invading the Union than in defending the Confederacy.
In 1861 it was a War of Southern Aggression against the United States.