[Jemian]

the lucrative African slave trade would have continued, supporting a strong economy.

I think this is a credible supposition. After all, slavery still exists in moslem countries today, i.e. Saudi Arabia.

[To Hell With Poverty]

I don’t believe that is correct. The north was wealthier and far more technologically advanced than the south was at the time of the civil war. The south had not yet industrialized and was dependant upon the north for many things, which is why the blockades were able to strangle them.