What Were the Border States in the Civil War?
The American Civil War was a conflict fought between the Union (the northern states) and the Confederacy (the southern states) from 1861 to 1865. As the war began, four slave-holding Border States were stuck between the two opposing factions: Maryland, Delaware, Missouri, and Kentucky. These states were located geographically close to the Southern States, but had significant historical, economic, and social ties to the Northern States. The Border States’ unique position led to intriguing dynamics during the war. In this article, we will delve into the circumstances that defined these Border States and their crucial roles during the Civil War.
Contents
Historical Significance of the Border States
Throughout the 19th century, the Border States maintained social and economic ties with the North, particularly with industries like manufacturing, finance, and trade. At the same time, their plantations and agriculture remained profitable due to the existence of slavery. This complicated heritage led to divisions within these states, as different population groups held diverse beliefs regarding slavery and secession. Maryland’s loyalist population, for example, was heavily pro-British, having connections to the Chesapeake trade and British investment.
Delaware, on the other hand, was economically dominated by the Northern State’s industries, which bolstered its allegiance to the North.
Fateful Decisions of the Border States
| As the Civil War erupted in 1861, Border States faced immense pressure and temptation. Each State had to make fateful decisions that would forever affect their history: | State | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Remained with the Union | |
| Kentucky | Initially neutral, ultimately split between Union and Confederate Governments | |
| Maryland | Considered secession but avoided it, with its loyalist population outnumbering secessionists | |
| Missouri | Entered Civil War as a "Copperhead" (pacifist) territory under the Union Government |
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These choices often seemed to defy logical alignments or were influenced by circumstances of the time. Missouri and Kentucky, in particular, were torn apart, both physically and emotionally. Secessionists, fueled by the desire to join forces with the Confederacy and protect their own social fabric, clashed with the powerful Unionist movements that hoped to maintain their loyalty. Maryland and Missouri were the most intense fronts in the Border State theaters, with Unionists vs. Confederates fiercely dividing the populations. Missouri, for instance, boasted a Copperhead movement that was prominent between 1861-65, while Kentucky split and had both Unionist Governors and Confederate leaders within 1861-64, leading to intense Bloodshed and Division within Border States.
Consequences and Conclusion
For the Border States, a delicate balance existed: those who remained with the Confederacy faced potential social or economic ostracization back in their states after Confederate defeat, while the divided populations within Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri experienced Internal Conflict and Destruction, devastating their communities and lasting societies. These issues in the Border States could still be felt well into Reconstruction and beyond.
Looking back, it can now be seen that, strategically, the Border States significantly influenced the Civil War effort. Each region required careful handling by Federal Union forces, leading to major battles and events; key examples include: the Confederate invasion of Maryland during Pope’s Campaign in September and October 1862, and the pivotal Vicksburg Campaign (March-to-July 1863) in which Federal Generals Grant and Butler targeted the Mississippi River trade-route and split the Southern rebellion.
In summary, four Border States, geographically situated between the Confederacy and the Union, stood at the threshold of disunion. The treading of these regions amid conflicts, divisions, internal issues, and decisions forever impact the course of US national history. The weight of the Civil War looms large, revealing struggles and divisions still etched in the Border States we know today
