Monuments and Myths

[Not Insane]

Originally Posted by BigElCat

Robert E. Lee despised human slavery.

Lincoln wanted Lee to be his top general, but Lee believed in 'States Rights' over Federal authority.

That what the Civil War was about. It had very little to do with granting slaves their freedom. The quality of life for the slaves didn't improve much at all when their freedom was granted.

Black folks are still fighting that war. If bringing the statues down is going to help, then it's good thing. Only time will tell.

There is an "alternate history" novel called Guns of the South, written by Harry Turtledove. Great book. It was based on his research regarding the war and the information concerning the beliefs and actions of its major characters.

MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT

In the end, the south wins and Lee becomes president of the south. The guys from the future that helped him win the war attempt to assassinate him when he decides to free the slaves. But he doesn't do it the way the north did in the real world. Only those born after the war are born free, but the rest will be given marginal freedom. The reason was logical. Someone who has been a slave all his life typically has no education and has the personal responsibility level of a child. Sending them out into the world "free" would be like doing the same to a six year old. It would not go well for them (as we learned in the real world). His plan was designed to make sure they could handle the freedom and build solid lives.

But like you said, he was no fan of slavery. I don't think many of his generals were, Forrest being a major exception, obviously.

As with all wars and, frankly, individual human lives in general, things are a bit more complicated than they seem at first glance.