[TheeOhioInfidel]

"If there is, why is Wal Mart enjoying so much success?"

I'm not sure if that is a pro or anti Wal Mart reference - not that it matters, but I just have a hard time believing that the South couldn't have been persuaded by diplomatic means, even if it took 50 years, to slowly phase out the slave economy. Wouldn't that have been preferable to the destruction that took place?

If the war was ultimately over preservation of the "Union," then that opens up the whole right of secession debate, which I'm not knowledgable enough to form an opinion on just yet.

[justshutupandtakeit]

There was no ability to negoitiate with the Slavers since they would not discuss ending slavery. It would be of no more use than negoitiating with the Islamic Terrorists.

There was no right to secession. If you wonder what the Founders thought about secession read Washington's Farewell Address it is almost all about such foolish ideas.

[Alouette]

I just have a hard time believing that the South couldn't have been persuaded by diplomatic means, even if it took 50 years, to slowly phase out the slave economy. Wouldn't that have been preferable to the destruction that took place?

It would have achieved the same devastation, just over a longer period of time. Companies that use slave labor or sweatshop labor have a competitive advantage over companies who pay their workers state mandated minimum wage.

The U.S. used to be the world's largest exporter of raw cotton and manufactured textiles.