Perhaps you've read the book. There is a theory put forward by some historians that the original seven (7) states that seceded were probably not a financially viable group and that the additional "official" four (4) Confederate states would not have seceded without the firing on Fort Sumter and the Union call up of troops. The theory further goes, that had the Union just waited a year to eighteen (18) months, the "Deep South" Confederacy would have been facing such serious financial difficulties, they they would have been willing to discuss a peaceful restoration to the Union and that these negotiations might have brought on discussions for a gradual emancipation of the slaves. Unfortunately, the "immediatists" and the "radical Republicans" were unwilling to accept such a wait and see position and with the addition of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Arkansas the South felt stronger and further emboldened to pursue war.

Sometimes it seems that the U.S. and the Confederacy were playing "chicken", not intending to, but ending up in a head-on crash.

Jim