View single post by javal1
 Posted: Wed Aug 16th, 2006 08:06 pm
PM Quote Reply Full Topic
javal1
Grumpy Geezer


Joined: Thu Sep 1st, 2005
Location: Tennessee USA
Posts: 1491
Status: 
Offline
Mana: 
 I would agree to a certain extent. The Confederacy was no different from the Union in the fact that the rich and powerful decide the war to be fought, and the poor with no power do the fighting. So the question, IMO, should revolve around the cause of the war, not the motivation of the soldiers.

What would be invaluable is a primary source indicating the percentage of slaveholders according to their wealth, since as we all know wealth = power. Don't think the census did that in 1860 - I'll have to check again. It'simportant though to separate the reasons the war started from the reasons the men fought. Two totally different things. Off to look for primary sources....