If nobody wanted war there would have been no war. Its very possible no one knew how expensive the war would be, but people on both sides were keyed up for war, while others were trying to avoid it.
As for SC firing the first shots, I don't think any country would put up with another country owning a fort that is within their borders, that controls access to a major port. That was an intentionally provocative action that Lincoln did in keeping the fort occupied.
I don't think Lincoln was necessarily the bad gut either. As another use said, I just see people doing their best with the difficult situations they find themselves in.
What was the South's alternative? They tried the legislative route and what did they get for their efforts? They got the Tariff of Abominations, they got unfair taxes, they got regulations making their cotton trade difficult. Actually according to that great Virginian Thomas Jefferson the south had every right to secede.
Where, you ask? Right here,
"That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
The South acted properly and in their best interests.
SC fired the first shot.
No one wanted war.
Everyone thought it would be over 'in months'
NO ONE thought 700,000+ would die.
And arguments about 'northern bankers' are just BS.
If nobody wanted war there would have been no war. Its very possible no one knew how expensive the war would be, but people on both sides were keyed up for war, while others were trying to avoid it.
As for SC firing the first shots, I don't think any country would put up with another country owning a fort that is within their borders, that controls access to a major port. That was an intentionally provocative action that Lincoln did in keeping the fort occupied.
I don't think Lincoln was necessarily the bad gut either. As another use said, I just see people doing their best with the difficult situations they find themselves in.
SC did not have to fire. And the South did not have leave the Union.
What was the South's alternative? They tried the legislative route and what did they get for their efforts? They got the Tariff of Abominations, they got unfair taxes, they got regulations making their cotton trade difficult. Actually according to that great Virginian Thomas Jefferson the south had every right to secede. Where, you ask? Right here, "That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." The South acted properly and in their best interests.