Thought the American Revolution was about taxation, not ownership of slaves?
I've come to realize that subsequent generations will believe it is about whatever those who win the conflict will say it is about. Even if it isn't true. (The winners write the History books.)
Had the founders been subjected to the exact same subsequent propaganda as the Confederates, we would all believe they demanded independence solely for the purpose of owning slaves.
That section of the Declaration of Independence "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us..." would be constantly cited as proof that the "Rebellion" was about slavery. They would point to the fact that Washington and Jefferson owned slaves, so obviously the war was about slavery. They would repeat this accusation, over and over and over again. Every time the topic came up, they would start with "But Slavery!"
In other words, they would deliberately manipulate the history to make them look evil.