All you have to do is read the various declaration of causes of secession. The South tells you what it was about in their own words.
sunsite.utk.edu
"The people of Georgia having dissolved their political connection with the Government of the United States of America, present to their confederates and the world the causes which have led to the separation. For the last ten years we have had numerous and serious causes of complaint against our non-slave-holding confederate States with reference to the subject of African slavery."
"In the momentous step which our State has taken of dissolving its connection with the government of which we so long formed a part, it is but just that we should declare the prominent reasons which have induced our course.
Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery-- the greatest material interest of the world. Its labor supplies the product which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth. These products are peculiar to the climate verging on the tropical regions, and by an imperious law of nature, none but the black race can bear exposure to the tropical sun. These products have become necessities of the world, and a blow at slavery is a blow at commerce and civilization. That blow has been long aimed at the institution, and was at the point of reaching its consummation. There was no choice left us but submission to the mandates of abolition, or a dissolution of the Union, whose principles had been subverted to work out our ruin."
"A geographical line has been drawn across the Union, and all the States north of that line have united in the election of a man to the high office of President of the United States, whose opinions and purposes are hostile to slavery. He is to be entrusted with the administration of the common Government, because he has declared that that "Government cannot endure permanently half slave, half free," and that the public mind must rest in the belief that slavery is in the course of ultimate extinction."
"They demand the abolition of n---- slavery throughout the confederacy, the recognition of political equality between the white and n---- races, and avow their determination to press on their crusade against us, so long as a n---- slave remains in these States."
F-16's could have been in the area in around 2 hours even if they came from Aviano Air Base. They had plenty more warning than that.
#22 | Posted by sames1
What do you think the F-16s could have done? Fire on the embassy? An air strike would have put even more Americans in danger from friendly fire. An slower attack aircraft such as an A-10 or AC-130 might have had a smaller risk to friendlies, but they couldn't have gotten there in two hours either.