The Enigma of Confederate States and the Enslavement of Millions

Slavery was an institution that engendered a vast network of power relations, deeply embedded in the societal fabric of the South. While often depicted in stark terms, the reality was more nuanced, with the Confederate States acting neither monolithically nor insidiously in their attitudes towards this dark chapter of American history.

Slavery and Feudalism: A Society of Fealty and Inequality

Slavery was more than just a legal institution; it was a way of life, a testament to a society where social mobility was an illusion. Slaveholders believed in a hierarchical order where one's station was as much a matter of birth as it was of choice. To question this order was to question the values of the culture itself, rooted in a belief in honor and tradition.

Upholding the institution of slavery meant more than just owning slaves; it meant codifying duels as a means of dispute resolution, whippings as a form of social control, and shootings as a means of enforcing a path of dominance. This rigid social structure propagated fear and dependence, where one’s fate was determined not by personal merit but by the whims of those who held power over them.

Independence or Slavery: A False Dichotomy

The Southern States claimed they sought not mere independence but the freedom to maintain their way of life, including the right to continue the practice of slavery. However, the misconception lies in conflating demands for independence with a desire to perpetuate an oppressive system. When it came to the question of slavery, it was much more complex than a simple case of wanting to maintain or dismantle it.

Statistically, only 4 out of the 11 states mentioned slavery, and even then, these states had clauses to end the slave trade. However, the deeper issue was about self-determination. The desire for independence wasn't merely about ending the institution of slavery but about preserving the status quo. This argument, however, was often made without explicitly recognizing the rights of those who were enslaved.

Democracy and Secession: A Process Far from Equal Representation

The Confederate States' move towards secession was not a democratic process. Out of the roughly 850 men chosen by state legislatures to vote on secession, fewer than 700 supported it. This was a decision made by a small, unelected, and predominantly wealthy group of slaveholders, without broad consent from the general populace, let alone the enslaved.

It is crucial to recognize that secession was popular among large segments of the population, especially in the elite classes. However, the irony lies in the fact that these populations included slaveholders who had forcibly taken and maintained the lives of millions of people. The culture, economy, politics, and even religion of the Southern states were inextricably linked to this institution of slavery. Even those who abhorred the institution and disunion ultimately fought for their states when war came.

War and Freedom: The Southern States’ Motivation

The assertion that the South went to war to eliminate slavery is confusing at best. The reality is that the South went to war to preserve and protect the institution of slavery. Confederate leaders like Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other prominent figures openly stated their reasons for secession and their desire to maintain the institution of slavery.

But the arguments around self-determination and the abolition of slavery were part of a broader narrative. The Union believed in the preservation of a unified nation, while the Confederates sought to create an independent nation that would allow them to maintain and expand their enslaved workforce. This fight was not about eradicating the institution but about asserting their independence and power over the free labor that drove their economy.

President Abraham Lincoln, in his famous 1862 letter, wrote, "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it…" This underscores the complex motivations behind the Civil War, which were not solely about slavery but about the preservation of the Union.

Conclusion

The Confederate States and their relationship with slavery were multifaceted and deeply rooted in a complex web of social, economic, and political factors. The desire for independence and the preservation of an institution built on the backs of millions were not mutually exclusive. The Civil War was a conflict driven by a range of motivations, with the emancipation of enslaved people at its core, but not without significant opposition and complexity.

Understanding the history of the Confederate States and the role of slavery requires a nuanced perspective. It is a critical aspect of American history that continues to influence our society today, setting the stage for ongoing discussions and debates.