This article is simplistic pap. It sounds as if a high-schooler trying to impress his leftie teacher wrote it. Late in joining the Revolution? Has this dolt never heard of the Halifax Resolves, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence or the Regulator War? Backward? As far as the War Between the States is concerned, there were very good reasons to ponder secession. Despite all the rhetoric, there was no monolithic pro-slavery sentiment in the south in general, and in North Carolina in particular. I'm residing in a county that voted against secession; many others did so as well, particularly in the mountain counties. Becoming surrounded on all sides by states that had seceded sealed the decision. Once in, they gave their all.
And, this author purports to write some sweeping history of an entire state, apparently without leaving the posh confines of his converted loft in Brightleaf Square. Has he never heard of textiles before?
I could go on and on, I suppose. But, this kind of whitewash happens all the time. This one is a little less snide than most, so it could be worse.
What most people think they know about the Civil War, NC's past, and Southerners is wrong: It's so limited in comprehension and scope. It's as if they only read an "outline" (filled in the blanks themselves), as opposed to actual, historical facts.