During the American Civil War there were five states which stayed neutral and were given the name "border" states. They were called border states because they each bordered a free state and were aligned with the union. The five border states were Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and West Virginia.
West Virginia
It was a border state and was said to be neutral.
West Virginia
West Virginia
Only one state was allowed to stay neutral, and that wasn't for long. It was Kentucky - one of the four Border states that were allowed to continue practising slavery for the duration of hostilities. But it was on condition that they stayed loyal.
During the American Civil War there were five states which stayed neutral and were given the name "border" states. They were called border states because they each bordered a free state and were aligned with the union. The five border states were Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and West Virginia.
Delaware had enslaved people but was strong to the Union (North). Kentucky at the beginning was neutral, but after the confederacy attacked them. They then favored the North. Missouri sided with the South. Maryland went under martial law. Virginia became a seprate state which became West Virginia.
Kentucky technically was a neutral State in the US Civil War. West Virginia broke away from Virginia and became a Union State.
Kentucky declared itself neutral at the beginning of the War Between the States, but both sides violated this stance very early in the conflict. The state would become a battleground rather than a place of tranquility for the reminder of the war.
At the beginning of the US Civil War, the "southern" border States were Kentucky and Missouri. In this answer, Maryland is excluded in that although it was a pro=southern slave State, it cannot be considered a border State.
West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia
Lincoln allowed Kentucky to stay neutral for an interval, before it eventually declared for the Union. In Missouri, there was a temporary truce (of doubrful legality) at the beginning, while the two armies waited to see which way the state voted.
It was a border state and was said to be neutral.
West Virginia