Writes Tim McGraw:

Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address: March 4th, 1861

We were all taught in school, and Erik Larson says over and over in his new book “The Demon of Unrest” about the beginnings of the American Civil War that this war was about slavery, slavery, slavery, and more slavery.

Read Abraham Lincoln’s First Presidential Inaugural Address on March 4th, 1861.

“I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.” Abraham Lincoln

So, what was the war really about?

“But if destruction of the Union by one or by a part only of the States be lawfully possible, the Union is less perfect than before the Constitution, having lost the vital element of perpetuity.

It follows from these views that no State upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to circumstances.” Abraham Lincoln

But here, almost buried in the speech, is the real economic reason for the war:

“In doing this there needs to be no bloodshed or violence, and there shall be none unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere.” Abraham Lincoln

There it is. If the Confederacy didn’t pay the “duties and imposts” (taxes/tariffs) to the Federal Government in the North (Yankee bankers and industrialists), Abraham Lincoln would be “forced” to invade the South and use force against them.

The American Civil War was an economic war like every war that ever occurred.

Follow the money!