If it was about slavery, how come they weren't invaded and in ruins?
Why was their slavery acceptable, but those other states not?
The thing I have found increasingly interesting through the years as I’ve travelled around is all the cities, towns, mills, bridges, etc., etc., even in the deep south, that include the the word “Union”* in their name. This indicates to me that the sentiments of rebellion, while a majority of some level, were far from unanimous.
*Another name that pops up in interesting places is “Lincoln”.
They didnt secede to protect slavery and then initiate war with the United States.
If it it was about slavery, how come they weren't invaded and in ruins?
Because they didn't secede to protect slavery and initiate war with the United States.
Why was their slavery acceptable, but those other states not?
Why was any slavery acceptable?
They continued to pay their taxes to the federal government.
The Civil War started with southerners firing on Fort Sumter. What was Fort Sumter? It was at the entrance to Charleston harbor to enforce collection of tariffs from ships entering the harbor.
Meanwhile, in March 1861, Congress passed the Corwin Amendment and sent it to the states for ratification. The amendment would have made slavery permanent in the US, and taken away the ability to ever abolish it.