One should not present either side as simple, one-dimensional, archetype dispicable villains, or virtuous heroes.
But you constantly present one side or the other, in whatever debate you are involved in, in one-dimensional terms. Lincoln and the Civil War are no different.
And yes, slavery was the most important issue, but you can't understand the Civil War if you don't realize that the economic issue of tariffs and political ideals of states' rights (which contrary to those who have not adequately studied American history doesn't simply relate to slavery... in fact the first time states' rights was brought up was in the case of Freedom of Speech against the 'Alien and Sedition Acts').
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