The history of the South leading up to and during the Civil War as it is written in our school's history books can lead one to misconceptions as to the reality of what life in the southern states was all about.  It pays to educate ourselves and our children as to what truths may lie behind what is written in government sanctioned school books.

According to Randy Golden, in his article for About North Georgia titled "Causes of the Civil War":
 

"Some say simplistically that the Civil War was fought over slavery. Unfortunately, there is no "simple" reason. The causes of the war were a complex series of events, including slavery, that began long before the first shot was fired. Competing nationalisms, political turmoil, the definition of freedom, the preservation of the Union, the fate of slavery and the structure of our society and economy could all be listed as significant contributing factors in America's bloodiest conflict."

His article is well written, well researched and closer to the truth than what you find in the "history books".

Another website with thorough documentation for study on life in the Civil War south is on Documenting the American South presented by the University Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

There," The Southern Homefront, 1861-1865," presents documents related to all aspects of Southern life during the Civil War. This collection includes over four hundred Civil War era maps, broadsides, photographs, printed works, Confederate currency, and manuscript letters and diaries.

Further research on the subject of Civil War causes and the differences between the North and the South can be found at Teachers Oz's Kingdom of History.  Here you will find dozens of links to informational pages on the Civil War, from NORTH/SOUTH DIFFERENCES, CAUSES OF THE WAR, TIMELINES, CHARTS/OUTLINES, MAPS & FLAGS , and more.