Some historians claim that a lack of leadership contributed to the inability of the nation to overcome its divisions. This argument contends that a "blundering generation" of politicians failed to understand the nature of the divisions and offered short term solutions to immediate problems, but did not deal with the real problems facing the country. Do you feel that the "blundering generation" theory has merit or were these deeper fundamental questions that even the most capable leaders could not have resolved? Had the conflict between North and South become "irrepressible"?

Some historians claim that a lack of leadership contributed to the inability of the nation to overcome its divisions. This argument contends that a "blundering generation" of politicians failed to understand the nature of the divisions and offered short term solutions to immediate problems, but did not deal with the real problems facing the country. Do you feel that the "blundering generation" theory has merit or were these deeper fundamental questions that even the most capable leaders could not have resolved? Had the conflict between North and South become "irrepressible"?