For a differing perspective I was taught as an undergrad (in Colorado even) the War of Northern Aggression...er Civil War...from a Southern point of view. The reason being; the prof. was trained in Missouri (it was a border state I know, but apparently still had some southern leanings, or at least they did, where and when my prof. went to school).
At any rate I appreciated the perspective, mostly states' rights, with some sectional economic differences. I was taught in junior high the unionism and probably emancipation perspectives which balances nicely with what I was taught later.
In truth I don't think there is one overarching perspective that is correct; perspective after all depends on who you are, who taught you, where you live, so on, etc. Slavery was the catalyst, but the underlying issue was the role of states vis-a-vis the federal government, and fundamentally what type of government the United States should have (never fully hashed out at the Founding).
At any rate I appreciated the perspective, mostly states' rights, with some sectional economic differences. I was taught in junior high the unionism and probably emancipation perspectives which balances nicely with what I was taught later.
In truth I don't think there is one overarching perspective that is correct; perspective after all depends on who you are, who taught you, where you live, so on, etc. Slavery was the catalyst, but the underlying issue was the role of states vis-a-vis the federal government, and fundamentally what type of government the United States should have (never fully hashed out at the Founding).
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