+1
Studying the buildup to the Civil War in more detail pretty much changed my view on many things in politics and life.
Unfortunately (well, let's face it, it's our own fault), this isn't really the forum for discussing this kind of thing any more. I will say, however, that it's weird living in a country where one side says, "WE WANT to live this way," and another side says, "YOU MUST live this way," and the latter gets to be the "good guys."
How so? What does the hindering of slavery advancing to other states, have to do with "life" today?
The House Divided Speech, The Fugitive Slave Act and any others. The economic pitfalls of the South were of their own doing. If I'm not mistaken South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia and Texas cited the threat to slaveholders’ rights as the cause of, or a major cause of, secession.
Let's not forget the 1854 Ostend Manifesto which was an unsuccessful Southern attempt to annex Cuba as a slave state. This after meeting with Spain about purchasing Cuba, then if not granted the annexation, would Declare War on Spain (over Slavery).
This is directed at some of the incorrect comments in this thread that "History is written by the victors." That is horse hockey. The Civil War always comes back to one issue because it is FACT. Jefferson Davis' quotes are nothing but a bitter man, who along with others wanted to get more rope than they already had.
If people cannot post intelligent prose, without resorting to attacks and cussing. Why shouldn't this be allowed to be discussed? But the fact remains Slavery was the crux of the American Civil War and rightly so.
No "heritage" disambiguation is needed, that is the lamest excuse one can use.