The Uchihas were born and bred from hatred ever since the Sage denied his eldest son the duty of finding peace. The eldest son, believing that power was the way to peace, to force others into a state of fear, where they would not rise up against a monarchy's rule, therefore establishing peace as a law. The Youngest son believed that love and understanding was the key to peace, for there is no peace if it is falsely forced, only tolleration, and the bottlment of anger and hatred, with no way out until it is so backed up, it explodes and a new state of chaos erupts.
Now with the Uchiha clan ancestors state of mind, it was obvious that he couldn't accept his father's decision and he began to hate his younger brother and dedicated his life to fighting him and obtaining power, by any means to do so. This was passed down several generations to the Uchiha clan as a whole, as well as the Senju clan ancestor's belife passed to his clan.
The Uchiha clan has always had a rivalry with the Senju and has always strived for power. Their most powerful members, and techniques lay within the eyes that are meant to be obtained by the feeling of loose of their closest person yet they kill each other to obtain these powers, and to gain strength.
You blame Itachi Uchiha for killing his clan, and others say "no blame the elders" well this is where I differ in my oppinion on both. Itachi wasn't forced to kill his clan, he was requested to do so upon the request of the higher ups. After Madara's attack on the village the Uchihas planned to rebell, however it was only an excuse. The Uchihas regreted their pact with the Senju and wanted to take the village for themselves and authorize a state of civil war and eventually international war, possibly the fourth great war. Madara Uchiha and the rest of the Uchiha clan are the real twisted party, as Itachi killed all the members with a heavy heart including his lover, and parents in order to protect Konoha. He left Sasuke alive because that heavy heart he bared couldn't kill the one closest to him and also not destroy the Uchiha's name. He left Sasuke allive to bring the reputation of the Uchihas to a glory as it once did. Itachi is not evil because he did what was neccissary for the greater good, and he still died inside. Sasuke spat on Itachi by vowing destruction upon Konoha. Sasuke is now a pawn of Madara and is part of the rest of the Uchihas in their revenge/power quest.
The elders are not to blame either as they're duty was the protection of Konoha. If you understand the history and legacy the Uchihas inherited one would know that no peaceful compromise could have came. The fact that all Hokage have been derived from Senju only makes it worse. (first two Hokage were senju, third was trained by Senju). The Uchihas had to be assassinated for the better good of Konoha. The elders knew this, and Itachi knew this, and as it was their job to protect Konoha, their decision should not hold them blame, as it should be respected as their duty was sought through.
Now I remember something about Uchiha's having the right to be Hokage, it was not up to the Uchihas or Senju who became Hokage, yet the rest of the village. The village believed Hashirama, just like the youngest brother, was the better choice, and that decision brought back the Uchiha clan's selfish, and childish attitude of unacceptance and led to this entire strife to begin all over again. Uchihas would've instilled wrath and power to obtain peace and more war would've been started with them.
I know this is long, none of you have to read it this is my opinion.
Itachi is not evil
The elders did the right thing
Uchihas are a clan of hatred, from beginning to end
Sasuke and Madara are represent the true faces of the Uchiha. "My way is best, any who don't agree I will kill and hate for eternity"
