They did not die to free the slaves. That is a lie we have all been led to believe. They died to make sure that powerful people in New York and Washington DC would continue to control the Southern export trade with Europe.
We have proof of this, because 1 month before Lincoln launched the war, he urged support for a Constitutional amendment (The Corwin Amendment) that would have made slavery "express and irrevocable", in Lincoln's own words.
How does a man go from promoting an amendment protecting slavery to pretending he started a war to stop slavery?
By lying, and by arresting anyone that disagrees with his political claims.
Fascinating. Thanks.
Doesn’t surprise me that a Confederate defends those who kneel to disrespect the U.S. flag.
About half didn't. The other half, the ones associated with the cause the players were protesting, were fighting to keep slavery in place.
Lincoln issued a Proclamation three days after Ft Sumter that is as close to a Declaration of War as you will find concerning the Civil War:
In it he also calls for Congress to convene a special session on July 4, 1861, where he gives his reasoning for calling up and using the army:
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/message-to-congress-in-special-session/
What you don’t find in either of these is a mention of fighting to end slavery. Lincoln is waging war against rebellious fellow Americans in order to preserve the Union. He is fighting to put down secession.