Not sure if you were quoting someone or not. But I disagree with this:
But in 1860 almost 100% of Northerners understood that slavery **in the South** was a precondition for Union and so would let it be.
I would say that Northern politcians largely understood and accepted this. Abolotionist New England probably did not accept this on its face. This was a moral issue.
WVMnteer: ** “But I disagree with this:
‘But in 1860 almost 100% of Northerners understood that slavery **in the South** was a precondition for Union and so would let it be.’
“I would say that Northern politcians largely understood and accepted this.
Abolotionist New England probably did not accept this on its face.
This was a moral issue. “ **
Agreed, I used “almost 100%” as opposed to hazarding a guess of, say, 95%.
Indeed, iirc, in 1861 when secession came, those New England Abolitionists said they were happy to see the South go, and take their slaves with them.
So perhaps even they understood the price of Abolition was disunion.