"It just seems that blaming the south for the total slavery issue seems to be the political correct popular thing to do"
TR,
I agree with you that that is what most liberals will say, but I don't think most serious students of the time would say that. I think most of the folks on this board don't think that is the case. I do think that most of us will not agree with the other side as to what caused it. I think we will debate until we are red in the face and not reach an agreeable conclusion. I think you have to read between the lines to really understand what happened. IF all you read is southern authors you come to one conclusion. If you read only northern authors, you arrive at another. I have just come off "Veterans Furlough" :) and while I was relaxing on my couch, I was able to reread a book I have had for a long time. The title is Dixie Betrayed. The sub title is How the south lost the war. It is a real good read. I would recommend that you get it at your local library. The author (from Wisconsin) seems to think that the best thing that happened to the north was the Confederate Congress and Jeff Davis. I must say that based on his conclusions, the book has merit. Now I suppose that there will be some here you would not agree with him at all. FC