Why did Lincoln need the support of the border states?

The capital of the Union, Washington DC, was situated between Virginia and Maryland. Had Maryland sided with the Confederacy, the capital would have been taken, potentially leading to the end of the Civil War and the division of the Union into two states.

Kentucky, another border state, was crucial to the Union because it allowed Southern Armies to attack any state along the Ohio River, which made it easy to block transportation and cut off the Eastern part of the Union from supplies and assistance coming from the western states.

Due to Tennessee's division between the north and south and Kentucky's continued membership in the Union, Union forces were able to control the rivers and win the western theater of the war, ultimately taking control of the Mississippi and defeating Vicksburg.

It is noteworthy that the Emancipation proclamation only freed the states that were part of the Confederacy, not the slaves in the border states. Although freeing the slaves in the border states may have cost Lincoln their support, the support of the border states was more crucial to the war effort than the freedom of the slaves.

Lincoln needed the support of the border states during the American Civil War because these states were strategically located between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states). The border states, including Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri, were crucial in maintaining the Union's territorial integrity and military advantage. Their support was essential for several reasons:

1. Geographical Position: The border states provided a buffer zone between the North and the South. Control over these states ensured that the Confederacy couldn't easily expand its territory northward and threaten key Union cities and resources.

2. Economic Importance: The border states were significant economic hubs with vital industries, transportation networks, and agricultural resources. Maintaining their allegiance helped sustain the Union's economic strength and wartime production capabilities.

3. Military Resources: The border states contributed troops, supplies, and strategic military bases to both the Union and the Confederacy. Securing their support bolstered the Union's military manpower and logistical capabilities while denying crucial resources to the Confederate war effort.

4. Political Stability: Lincoln recognized the importance of maintaining political stability within the border states to prevent them from seceding and joining the Confederacy. By ensuring their loyalty, Lincoln aimed to mitigate internal divisions and maintain public support for the Union cause.

5. Moral and Symbolic Significance: The border states represented a crucial test of Lincoln's commitment to preserving the Union and upholding the principles of democracy. Their allegiance symbolized the broader struggle to maintain the integrity of the United States and abolish slavery.

Overall, Lincoln's need for the support of the border states was integral to the Union's war strategy and its ultimate success in preserving the nation's unity during the Civil War.