So it was about slavery after all, at least from the southern perspective?
So the question becomes, what would motivate the yakees to wage war on the seceded states? Certainly not slavery and/or blacks, so that leaves another reason.
Sure. Bombarding Sumter into surrender and initiating a war. How about that?
They couldn't stand the thought of a southern confederacy buying goods from Europe at lower prices without the protectionist tariffs, nor could they stand to PAY tariffs on what they would now import from the South, nor could they afford to lose the millions in revenue from duties paid by Southern customers.
That is so ridiculous if you bothered to think about it. They would only PAY tariffs if the Congress decided to impose them. And as for the confederacy buying goods from Europe at lower rates, just what was it that the confederacy was supposed to be importing in such massive amounts? And since the southern imports were disproportionately small to begin with, losing that revenue might sting but not enough to go to war over. Otherwise it would have happened before Sumter.
If slavery had NEVER existed - North or South - would the secession have been legal? In your opinion of course? You already know my position.
Sure. Bombarding Sumter into surrender and initiating a war. How about that?
But WHY? You're going to tell me that financially Sumter had little value, and we already know that the yankees didn't wants blacks in the union, so why fight a war to keep the South in the union?
That is so ridiculous if you bothered to think about it.
Not hardly. I have a minor in Economics, and it makes perfect sense.