The Civil War seems to have become inevitable when South Carolina seceded from the Union. We know that the Confederacy lost the Civil War, with the immediate emancipation of the slaves, the loss of hundreds of thousands of soldiers lives, the destruction of its economy, and large areas razed by Union armies.
Had the southern states not seceded, slavery might have lasted a few more decades and been phased out gradually with much less damage to the southern economy. The markets for southern exports would not have been lost, and the south might well have been economically and socially much more successful in the later part of the century.
Not all southerners were blind to the probabilities. I quote from Senator Sam Houston:
So why did South Carolina secede and why did other southern states follow in its folly? Why was is that enough others did not share the correct perception of Sam Houston to prevent secession? It had to be a dramatic failure of decision making in the political system and the social system of the states that formed the confederacy.
Incidentally, Houston was a member of Congress from Tennessee and Governor of that state, a Senator from Texas and Governor of that State (the only man to serve as governor of two different states), a citizen of the Cherokee nation, and the President of the Republic of Texas. Probably pretty smart!
Had the southern states not seceded, slavery might have lasted a few more decades and been phased out gradually with much less damage to the southern economy. The markets for southern exports would not have been lost, and the south might well have been economically and socially much more successful in the later part of the century.
"Let me tell you what is coming. After the sacrifice of countless millions of treasure and hundreds of thousands of lives, you may win Southern independence if God be not against you, but I doubt it. I tell you that, while I believe with you in the doctrine of states rights, the North is determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a given direction, they move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche; and what I fear is, they will overwhelm the South."Indeed, a number of slave states did not join the Confederacy, and the people of West Virginia seceded from Virginia rather than join it in rebellion.
So why did South Carolina secede and why did other southern states follow in its folly? Why was is that enough others did not share the correct perception of Sam Houston to prevent secession? It had to be a dramatic failure of decision making in the political system and the social system of the states that formed the confederacy.
Incidentally, Houston was a member of Congress from Tennessee and Governor of that state, a Senator from Texas and Governor of that State (the only man to serve as governor of two different states), a citizen of the Cherokee nation, and the President of the Republic of Texas. Probably pretty smart!
No comments:
Post a Comment