160 years ago today, rebel forces in Charleston, SC opened fire on union held Fort Sumter; marking the start of the Civil War.

They should have just organized a tax protest and withheld federal taxes, it would have been more effective.

The government was largely funded with tariffs until the twentieth century -- not taxes.

There was no income tax until the early twentieth century, for instance.

Thread: They’re yelling ‘We at war!’ in Minnesota


Hint, hint, hint.

My g-g-g-grandfather, an immigrant from "Alsace, Europe" (as he wrote proudly in the immigration ledger) would participate at age 45 in the Battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg on the Union side -- 24th Michigan Infantry.

I believe he was drafted (the draft had just been put in place and 45 was the upper age limit) from Detroit, where I was born.

His name was Frank (Francis). He lived.

He was on the invalid rolls the next spring. He returned to Detroit alive though.

And that was the mistake. The states who decided to secede were on firm legal and moral ground to do so and quite likely could have done so peaceably if they had stayed that course but attacking Sumter was not an act of provocation the young Union could allow without losing all respect internationally.

I don't know.

I think the war may have just started another way.



But there are no do-overs in history.

i never really knew what started the American Civil War

but now, as we're older and knowledge is deeper, i wouldn't be surprised, based on your assumptions, message, where it wasn't in South's interest, but rather Union's so everything started with the good old false flag

shame really, some Unionist, dressed as an Confederate, or just in civil clothes started the war

Everybody is always so interested in the "news" and the future.

So few care about history...


and yet "what is past is prologue".

That's a plausible theory except nobody on the Southern side of the equation ever denied they fired the shots and on the other hand there were plenty who were quick to put on the grey after Sumter. Another one of those potentially explosive situations just waiting for a hothead with a match to come along.

John Brown almost got that party started, in fairness.


It's not like some Northerners didn't try.

To be honest, I was a damn Yankee for the first 20 years of my life, I've spent the last 20 in the south. I always agreed with Lincoln and keeping the Union together. Unfortunately the life long politicians on both sides, the Democrat party, the far left agenda, groups like Antifa and BLM have made me rethink my position. I now fully support succession. If states like Texas or Florida ever pull it off, I will go with them!

I rather doubt they will be allowed to just leave peacefully, but I am of the same mindset.