im not choosing a side because there is no win in this arguement... even if everyone knew the exact facts. and to say there were no business moguls at the time I would say is as big a cop out as youre accusing others of.
its obviuos to anyone in the know that the original post asked surface questions. that again, cant be answered with the facts known. it boils down to southern states didnt want what was forced upon them. the rest is history...
If you can point out people who were also "power interests" at the time (who were not politicians) who had the power to influence the start of the war and the means to buy up cheap southern land afterwards, please enlighten me.
-PJ