alternatehistory.com

The end state is a CSA of (at least) two of the existing (1861) US states that retain chattel slavery and are recognized as independent by the community of nations, including the United States, at some point between 1861-1870.

The ground rules are:

1) History is as it was until April 11, 1861;
2) No deus ex machina (i.e. time traveling AK-47-wielders, European intervention "just because," the historical actors are replaced by clones, etc.);
3) No handwavium, unobtanium, or chiroptera, please;
4) No "because I say so" or "my friend says so" or "go look at this sort of relevant other thread", please.

I have my own ideas, but I'm curious if anyone is willing to offer up a plot line to achive the end state outlined above that would be consensus-recognized as plausible.

Thanks in advance for any (semi) serious responses. The non-serious ones write themselves, so no points - other than for laughs - for those.

Best,
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