That's a fine example of how to deconstruct a very complex piece of history into a 'good side' and a 'bad side.' States that had slavery joined the American union in the first place on the understanding that slavery wasn't just lawful, but integral to their way of life. And indeed, slavery was normal and accepted in America when the nation was first created. It wasn't the south that was trying to shake the foundations of that union by doing away with slavery.