[TiberiusAD]

I'm afraid I must agree with my Birmingham friend, The Southern States were fighting for thier freedom/Independance. It was a matter of Economics and freedom rather than a matter of Civil Rights.

But nearly 200 years later History remembers the dramatic Civil Rights strides made during and after the Civil War, not so much how the war started. That is the nature of history... hind-sight is very keen.

It could even be said that history, as shall be taught to our children in High School will see our current fight in Iraq as a huge step in the fight of terrorism and spread of freedom... they will likley not learn of the contraversies surrounding the reason for the invasion, or the suggestions that Bush has alternative motives.

I'm sure that somewhere on-line you can find real letters, and newspapers of the times that discuss the true feelings and opinions of the people of the time. This is, in my opinion the best way to begin to understand exactly what was going through the minds of the people of a nation at war with itself.