The American Civil War

[Nash]

Sue me - because I guess this could be considered as another troll....

But, it's an essential part of something I'm now trying to make sense of. I'm trying to get a grasp on how the Civil War continues to affect people today.

Simply - does it? Or is it long forgotten history that nobody cares about?

I've heard plenty of anecdotes etc., and they point to how that war still lives on, even now. Whether it's the passing on of old stories, or the passionate resurrection of the confederate flag, or the simple disdain for Washington and government.

Lets look at the numbers for a sec.

Lets imagine that there suddenly came into existence a new world. It was populated by all sorts of different types of people. An election was held, and the two candidates had different things to offer.

What would be the chances that the population would split exactly on a North/South axis?

Very slim. A mathematical improbability to say the least.

No - there's gotta be a reason. And nobody seems to be looking for it. So lets face facts. Why is there this arbitrary division - North and South - unless it isn't so arbitrary? And if it isn't so arbitrary, what then accounts for it?

My guess? The American Civil War.

But I don't know. That's why I'm asking.

How aware are you of the war in your day to day lives and in your upbringing, and what are your feelings about it? How much has been passed down to you about it? How much does the war weave itself into your cultural fabric?

[SOB]

It's a non-issue.  Southerners are them that live in the Southeastern U.S., and have a funny accent.

[Holden McGroin]

It is probably less of a division that the Quebequios division in Canada.

Actually we have been divided by the 49th parallel for quite some time.

  54 - 40 or Fight!  

[Nash]

Bring it.

[rpm]

First off let me say excellent question Nash. I don't see it as a troll, at all.

The Civil War has been politicized to the point not many people really know what it was about, and it wasn't slavery. The South was the agricultural base of the country and the North the industrial. The two depended on each other but the South was getting the short end of the stick financially. This financial imbalance was the root cause of the war.

The North really didn't care about the slavery issue. Unskilled slave labor wasn't of much use to them. They relied on skilled craftsmen and workers. Yes, they had slavery laws, but they were not a major issue at the start of the war. That came later when Lincoln was doing his best spin to maintain support for the war, which wasn't going that well at the time for the North. It has been continually spun since, as support for equal rights and an end to racism.

If you put 2 groups together and one does all the work while the other gets the money, they are going to fight.

[Nash]

Actually we have been divided by the 49th parallel for quite some time. - Holden

Actually, the idea of a US vs Canada war becomes a fascinating topic in light of the fact that, well it turns out, you can't even beat "gooks" or "camel jockies." Talk about over playing your hand - and don't think folks aint noticing.

Nah... I'm wondering about yer desire to beat up on eachother.

[Nash]

rpm - Thank you.

Is there still a grudge?

[DREDIOCK]

OUTSTANDING responce RPM

[rpm]

I'd say it's more like a college rivalry now.

[Holden McGroin]

Originally posted by rpm
The Civil War has been politicized to the point not many people really know what it was about, and it wasn't slavery. ...

Before This thread gets any longer, perhaps we should read the   Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union

In this document exists the quote:  

A geographical line has been drawn across the Union, and all the States north of that line have united in the election of a man to the high office of President of the United States, whose opinions and purposes are hostile to slavery. He is to be entrusted with the administration of the common Government, because he has declared that that "Government cannot endure permanently half slave, half free," and that the public mind must rest in the belief that slavery is in the course of ultimate extinction.

Further in the document,

On the 4th day of March next, this party will take possession of the Government. It has announced that the South shall be excluded from the common territory, that the judicial tribunals shall be made sectional, and that a war must be waged against slavery until it shall cease throughout the United States  

It seems the people of South Carolina thought it was about slavery.

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Nash

How aware are you of the war in your day to day lives and in your upbringing, and what are your feelings about it? How much has been passed down to you about it? How much does the war weave itself into your cultural fabric?

As a Californian, I'm pretty much oblivious to the North vs. South issue. It's not part of our heritage or culture and it received little attention during our schooling compared to the states in the East.

As for the war, it's my opinion that the South made a HUGE mistake attacking Fort Sumter. Had they not done so, I doubt Lincoln could have rallied support for the war. In our history, we've almost always needed a spark before entering a conflict. Fort Sumter was that spark.

[rpm]

Slavery was an issue, but it was not the main reason. It was economic.

[Holden McGroin]

Think the people of South Carolina knew that their agrarian economy was based on slavery?

Next time somebody says Iraq was a war for oil I think I will paraphrase your last post, and say it was only a side issue, the issue was the economy.

[Gunslinger]

Originally posted by rpm
Slavery was an issue, but it was not the main reason. It was economic.

Great post BTW.  Don't forget about state's rights RPM.  While slavery being one of the precursers and Economic being the fuel, alot of these were because of the souths beleif in the erosion of their state rights.  "I don't want no damn yankee in DC telling me how to live my life".

The civil war was the bloodiest of all American wars.  What's even more sad about it is the majority of the men who faught in it didn't own slaves nore could they care less if anyone did.  

Is it still a devisive factor today?

Well yes and no.  You have smaller groups now that get smaller year after year who still hold onto the past.  There's those who wave a rebel flag as a symbol of their heritage.  Theres those that counter that heritage saying it's evil because it invovled slavery.  There's more so that veiw today's federal govt as the south did back then.  It's intrusive and oversteps it's bounds.  Back then states had ALOT more rights and the federal govt wasn't any were near the size it is today.

[rpm]

No, Iraq was for 9/11 and weapons of mass destruction. Remember?

Dead on, Guns.