Oddbean

@🌲-alist @b05df304 Wow that's a lot. I know the South actually had a lot of slaves forced to fight for it. And there were a surprising number of Southern men - like 200K - that left to join the Union army. The non land-owning white Southerner had to know that slavery did not serve his interests. It depressed wages and allowed the Boss to treat him with contempt. So he had to wonder "what's in it for me." I think that is what the "Golden Circle" invade Mexico idea was for. Were they serious?

The big issue of the time was the "Tarrif of Abominations" which was perceived as harmful to Southern agricultural industry. It is interesting to read the dairies of Confederates. The ones I've seen in terms of "why they fought" most often reference a pride in their homeland and the view that Washington didnt represent their interests or values.. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0123%3Achapter%3D7.66 > Dark and lowering clouds hover over the political horizon. The recent elections in the northern States indicate the triumph of the Republican party, in which event a disruption of the Union, and a civil war will probably follow, as the South will not submit to a sectional President, and the North will not submit to a peaceable separation.

@🌲-alist There is no doubt a large portion of the south were fighting for their right to decide for themselves how to handle slavery (and wanting to keep it, at least in the short term)... But you are right, there are many nuanced factors overall. @e7f7ab20