protectionist
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- Oct 20, 2013
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- #121
1. Union support was by no mans universal in the North either. New York came close to secession, as it was proposed by various New York politicians.There was another Choice. Since most of them did not own slaves they could have refused to leave the union. They could have rebelled against the rich slave holders and said no. But instead they drank the kool- aid and went off to fight and die for the fiends who brought slaves in to take their jobs. If the masses of average southerners had stayed loyal to the union the Civil War would never have happened...they would nevet have had to worry about having their homes razed or any of the other consequences of losing a war.They could allow themselves to be shot at, have their buildings and bridges destroyed, churches burned down, farms (crops & animals) destroyed, ..............or they could DEFEND themselves and shoot back. And if YOU were the one having all this done to you, you would do what. Calmly say "thank you" ?The soldiers had a choice...
A chunk of counties in western Virginia did just that -- seceded from Virginia when it seceded from the US, which is how we got West Virginia.
Another chunk of counties in East Tennessee, which was firmly against secession, tried to do the same thing. But they were coerced and cowed by Confederate military.
Secession and Confederacy was by NO means universal in the South. It was divisive, often forced, and ridiculously chaotic. Anyone who wants a glimpse of how chaotic should have a peek at the workings of the Confederate Congress.
2. The New York Draft riots were the largest rioting in American history. Buildings were burned all over the city by New Yorkers who said they would not serve in the Union Army and shoot at fellow Americans. 120 people were killed and 11 blacks were lynched all over the city. Many New Yorkers left the city and state,and went south and joined the Confederacy,
New York City draft riots - Wikipedia
The Most Violent Insurrection in American History