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08-11-2015, 03:18 PM
I would say the most accurate characterization is that it was about the balance of power (as it always is) and economy.
Slavery was the bases. The economy of the south depended on slavery at that time, regardless of where it was headed.
Then you had the new states and the fight over which were to be slave states and which were to be free, hence the balance of power in congress. You could say instead of democrat and republican caucusing together and determined the congressional leaders you had slave states and free states. Not exactly but close enough.
When Lincoln was elected the south determined the western states slave status would not go there way and the balance of power would go against them.
Combine that with a very independent and states rights attitude far exceeding what we see today, and it was a perfect mix.
The south, most specifically Virgina, viewed the war with the same perspective as they did the revolution. They saw a lineage of Virginians from Washington to Jefferson to Robert E. Lee, and the fight just a continuation.
Interesting for me is that not until the last 8 years under Obama have I been able to truly understand and empathize.
Slavery was the bases. The economy of the south depended on slavery at that time, regardless of where it was headed.
Then you had the new states and the fight over which were to be slave states and which were to be free, hence the balance of power in congress. You could say instead of democrat and republican caucusing together and determined the congressional leaders you had slave states and free states. Not exactly but close enough.
When Lincoln was elected the south determined the western states slave status would not go there way and the balance of power would go against them.
Combine that with a very independent and states rights attitude far exceeding what we see today, and it was a perfect mix.
The south, most specifically Virgina, viewed the war with the same perspective as they did the revolution. They saw a lineage of Virginians from Washington to Jefferson to Robert E. Lee, and the fight just a continuation.
Interesting for me is that not until the last 8 years under Obama have I been able to truly understand and empathize.
Slavery was the bases. The economy of the south depended on slavery at that time, regardless of where it was headed.
Then you had the new states and the fight over which were to be slave states and which were to be free, hence the balance of power in congress. You could say instead of democrat and republican caucusing together and determined the congressional leaders you had slave states and free states. Not exactly but close enough.
When Lincoln was elected the south determined the western states slave status would not go there way and the balance of power would go against them.
Combine that with a very independent and states rights attitude far exceeding what we see today, and it was a perfect mix.
The south, most specifically Virgina, viewed the war with the same perspective as they did the revolution. They saw a lineage of Virginians from Washington to Jefferson to Robert E. Lee, and the fight just a continuation.
Interesting for me is that not until the last 8 years under Obama have I been able to truly understand and empathize.