There is the view point that it was only about slavery.
There is the view point that it was not at all about slavery.
The truth lies probably smack dab in the middle.
The truth as I understand it is that many of the Southern states could not survive without slavery until the south became more industrialized. The North became far more Industrialized as the South remained mainly rural farming.
Their were many inflaming issues of the day slavery being one of them. But I think allot of the issue's just became cultural as they remain to this very day.
The South still carries a feeling of commonality distinct and separate from the rest of the U.S., Not to say that they consider themselves as non Americans just different Americans. One must also remember that the Morally justified north were anything but Morally just to the south after the war where raping and looting remained rampant for a great many years.
Should the South Celebrate its Confederate history? Well the Way I see it Hundreds of thousands of Men fought and died for the South. And Sure they defended slavery but they also defended southern culture, southern traditions and southern ways of life. Back in those days States were much more nations then the watered down states we have today. Virginians fought for Virginia and their allies etc.
Slavery is wrong and I doubt you will find anybody recommending its revival even in the south.
I have no problem with the remembrance of the confederacy in those states. Both sides bare a burden of shame and both sides carry some Glory.
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