Border states (American Civil War)
slave state that had not declared a secession from the Union during the American Civil War / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Border states were those states that during the American Civil War did not leave the Union.[1] The border states were Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri.[2] After West Virginia separated from Virginia, it was also considered a border state.[3] Most border states had strong ties to the South culturally, but they had economic ties to the North.[4] While remaining loyal to the Union, the Border States were themselves slave-holding states.[5]
In the Border States the war caused divided loyalties.[6] They were the scene of often brutal guerilla warfare where neighbor fought against neighbor.[6] The bitter feelings in the Border States lasted long after the Civil war.[6]