I agree the real animosity came to light in the 1960's rather than the 1860's. The Federal government was intended to act as an agent and a protector for the states. Once states started leaving the Union, the issue with the Fed was the loss of income and land mass and it had to prove it's point. After the WBTS, except with the issue of race relations, a civil atmosphere prevailed, at least for the most part. Once the Fed started issuing mandates to the states, it was again a war of words and National Guard infiltration. Our opinion on the subject today does not have any bearing on the acts by Wallace and others. At that time, they still believed the state had a choice to adopt integration or not. The whole core of the matter was the conviction that states still had rights that hit the hot button and caused the school problems. Things may have been a little smoother had Kennedy not been as arogant as another in thinking what HE said was law and he turned up the burner til the top blew off the pot.

Instead of allowing desegregation to proceed slowly and couple that with the voter issues in a few states and dang they began to act like the war was never over. The Fed had to flex its muscle and almost slap states in the face to show the world it meant business. Like 1865 all over again. Had there not been as much insult on injury by the Fed with reconstruction, the entire race relationship equation may have been very different.
Yes, We are Americans and proud of it. As with family sometimes, you've got to go to seperate areas before you hurt each other. The states were not allowed to go to that seperate area. When that happens, you go stay with the one who feeds you, comforts you and loves you the most. Many times in my life I have said I wish we'd moved out of this state but if it came moving day, I'd call it off. I'm not leaving my home. Lee wasn't going to fight against his home. That's the whole thing in a nutshell. Texas was a Republic and I'm sure it would have done well had it stayed out of the Union. Considering all that transpired to get to the Republic stage, how could it not be ok?
Florida had not been in the union as long as many of the other Southern states and in 1860, many residents were of Spanish, English or French origin. It took the end of the Civil War to get them to see themselves as Americans.

Pam