Lincoln assured the border states that he would take no action to deprive them of their slaves. He declared martial law in Maryland, and sent troops to prevent Maryland from seceding, because if its close proximity to Washington, D.C. He also sent troops to Kentucky after the Confederates violated Kentucky's declared neutrality. The Missouri Federal Militia was able to drive out the Missouri Confederate Militia in fairly short order; so Lincoln appointed Missourian Halleck to replace Scott as the General-in-Chief of the Army until Grant replaced him in 1864.
In the 1860 presidential election, candidate Abraham Lincoln, representing the Republican Party, carried the border states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. His moderate stance on slavery and emphasis on preserving the Union appealed to many voters in these states. Despite his overall victory, Lincoln did not win in all border states, reflecting the divided sentiments on slavery and secession during that period.
These were the two biggest border-states - that is, slave-states of the Upper South, that had stayed loyal to the Union. With these states, Lincoln had to be especially diplomatic, to persuade them not to go Confederate.
There were 430,929 slaves in the Border States.
Lincoln did not abolish slavery in the border states primarily to maintain their loyalty to the Union during the Civil War. He believed that if he pushed for immediate abolition in these states, it could drive them to join the Confederacy. Instead, Lincoln focused on preserving the Union and later issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which aimed to free slaves in Confederate-held territories while leaving border state slavery intact to prevent further disunion. His approach was strategic, balancing moral imperatives with political realities.
Abraham Lincoln took several strategic actions to ensure that border states remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War. He implemented a cautious approach to slavery, emphasizing the preservation of the Union over immediate abolition, which helped to assuage the fears of slaveholding states. Additionally, Lincoln increased federal presence and support in these states, reinforcing their economic and military ties to the Union. By addressing their concerns and maintaining communication, he successfully kept these crucial states on the side of the Union.
Becuase he didn't want to lose the support of the border states.
Lincoln wanted to keep the border states in the Union.
Lincoln allowed slavery to continue there - so as not to drive those states into the arms of the Confederacy.
In the 1860 presidential election, candidate Abraham Lincoln, representing the Republican Party, carried the border states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. His moderate stance on slavery and emphasis on preserving the Union appealed to many voters in these states. Despite his overall victory, Lincoln did not win in all border states, reflecting the divided sentiments on slavery and secession during that period.
Lincoln's strategy for keeping the border states in the Union was threefold. One: He wished to preserve or establish loyal governments in the border states. Two: He wanted the states to foster loyalty among citizens and for the states to support the war effort. Three: He wanted to minimize military occupation of these states.
The border states had slavery during the entire US Civil War. US President Lincoln had attempted to negotiate with these states in terms of gradually reducing their slavery by compensation from the Federal government. He even allowed for two generations of time to pass in order to allow for adjustments in society. Despite the fact none of the border states joined the Confederacy, they refused Lincoln's offer and insisted on maintaining their slaves.
These were the two biggest border-states - that is, slave-states of the Upper South, that had stayed loyal to the Union. With these states, Lincoln had to be especially diplomatic, to persuade them not to go Confederate.
How to keep the border states onside.
There were 430,929 slaves in the Border States.
Maryland was an important border state because it surounded DC. If Maryland seeced DC would be surounded by southern states and Lincoln would have no chance.
Lincoln did not abolish slavery in the border states primarily to maintain their loyalty to the Union during the Civil War. He believed that if he pushed for immediate abolition in these states, it could drive them to join the Confederacy. Instead, Lincoln focused on preserving the Union and later issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which aimed to free slaves in Confederate-held territories while leaving border state slavery intact to prevent further disunion. His approach was strategic, balancing moral imperatives with political realities.
They were the slave-states that stayed loyal to the Union. Lincoln treated them tactfully, and allowed them to continue practising slavery during hostilities, for fear of driving them into the arms of the Confederacy.