“Agreed. Do you think it was a positive outcome or would free trade have worked better for the country as a whole (in this one case)?”
A lot of factors involved in that opinion. As I said, I am a long way from being an expert on the subject. Slavery had to go, so while it was a throw in, ending it was a hugely good thing.
While I feel more of an affinity with southerners, since they tend to be conservatives, the red state thing. If the south had won, it would have been messy, two countries, one with an economy built on an evil practice (the south), and one with a crumbling economy due to lack of raw material (the north).
I guess it was best for America, as it turned out. Only the most dogmatic free traders will tell you that protectionism is never good, and never has a purpose.
Good thoughtful answer, thanks. For my part I can’t bring myself to fully join one camp or the other.