[Ditto]

Based on this forum, peacefull secession is impossible, not the Yankee way.....

If I had been in Congress in 1860, I would have gladly voted to let those seven Cotton states depart in an orderly fashon after all treaty, land, navigational rights, and financial implications were settled. But I doubt they would have lasted long on their own.

[central_va]

But I doubt they would have lasted long on their own

That condescending Yankee comment could have come from the 19th century. Nothing changes with you people.

[rockrr]

"But I doubt they would have lasted long on their own."

Thanks for making this essential point. I've bought it up a few times and have been greeted with silence. Even had the rebellious states gone the honorable route and sought - and achieved - independence from the United States by petitioning Congress for secession, and thereby sidestepped open warfare with the states, they would have been ripe for conquest from without.

Despite the fact that the several states planned their split for years, they were woefully ill-prepared to sustain itself as a country. They had no infrastructure. They had little industry. They may have had high hopes, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The WBTS was ill-conceived, ill-considered, and badly played.