Kevin,
Here is my take on the subject. I believe that slavery, states rights and the different ways of life between the states were all issues in the conflict. People may try to minimize slavery and say that it was done since ancient times...thing is, I will guarantee you that nobody on this board would want to go back to the 1850s and be a slave in the deep south, no matter what the incentive. On the other hand there are no black men and women living anywhere in the world (or for that matter at any time) that live as well as those living in the United States today. They are certainly not living as well on their ancestral continent of Africa. However bad slavery was for their ancestors (and it was), they should thank God for their kids sake that they are living here. Just my take on this subject.

James Cump Turchin.