Hi Jim
To answer your first quistion yes I do find the was slavery the cause and was secession legal discussions very interesting.I do not really get involved because being a foreigner I would not want to upset anyone by commenting on U.S. politics.Being a amateur historian I have over the years formed opinions,and tend to sympathy with the south,I must point out that I had formed this opinion before finding I had southern family.
With regard to Cromwell I think his great achievement was to set us on the way to modern government, but unfortunatly in the end he ruled with absolute power so became a king in all but name.
Permanent divisions are more difficult to discuss it tends to be a Celtic (Scotland Ireland Wales) Anglo - Saxon (England)thing,and are mostly settled on the sportsfield.
At this point I could mention the troubles in recent years in Ireland but I am not sure this message board the correct place to discuss the troubles that took place there,other than to praise the work that your former President Mr Clinton did to bring about peace in Ireland.
I hope that this gives some answers to your questions Jim and has not bored your readers for too long.
Once again Jim thanks to you and the team for the great work you do on these boards.
Norman Andrews
Somerset England