Why the debate? Everyone is right.
The large view political principle that caused the Civil War was state's rights. The particular issue that caused the Civil War was slavery. South Carolina's secession was a response to Lincoln's election because he was an abolitionist and this was probably the last straw for them on the whole issue of state's rights. Confederate men fought largely because they were being invaded and that's the usual response to such things. Many Union men fought to preserve the Union. Quite a few were drafted and didn't care. Everyone fought for freedom.
Symbols mean different things to different people. To many people, the rebel flag is a symbol of racism and to many others it's a symbol of the Southern way of life. Some people are very offended when they see it. Others are offended when they are told it is wrong for them to fly it. Everyone is right.
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