how did the fear of alienating the border states affect nothern strategy during the war?
President Lincoln is "reported to have said that he hoped to have God on his side, but he had to have Kentucky." That's from this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_states_(Civil_War)
I don't think the Northerners worried about it very much since the Southern states were already seceding.
You can read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Us_civil_war
=)
During the American Civil War, the fear of alienating the border states greatly impacted the Northern strategy. The border states, including Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware, were located between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states). These states had not seceded from the Union but were slave states, and their allegiance was uncertain. The Northern strategy aimed to maintain their support and prevent them from joining the Confederacy, as losing them would have been a significant blow to the Union's resources and manpower.
To answer your question more thoroughly, I can explain the steps you can take to understand how the fear of alienating the border states affected the Northern strategy during the war:
1. Start by researching the border states: Begin by studying the characteristics and importance of the border states during the Civil War. Look for sources that provide information on Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware, and their stance on the war.
2. Explore the Northern strategy: Understand the objectives and challenges faced by the Union during the war. Analyze the strategic considerations they had to take into account, including maintaining support from the border states.
3. Determine the significance of the border states: Assess the resources and benefits the border states brought to both the Union and Confederacy. It is essential to understand why the Northern states were concerned about the possibility of losing these states to the Confederacy.
4. Study President Lincoln's perspective: Investigate President Lincoln's views and statements regarding the border states. The quote you mentioned emphasizes his hope to secure the loyalty of Kentucky. Look for additional primary sources that could provide more insight into his concerns.
5. Analyze the impact on the Northern strategy: Consider how the fear of alienating the border states influenced the Northern strategy. Look for specific decisions or actions taken by the Union to prevent these states from joining the Confederacy. This could include political negotiations, military operations, or policy implementations.
By following these steps, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how the fear of alienating the border states affected the Northern strategy during the Civil War.
The fear of alienating the border states did significantly affect the Northern strategy during the Civil War. The border states, including Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware, were crucial for both sides because they were located between the Union and Confederacy and had not yet seceded.
President Lincoln understood the importance of these states to the Union cause and recognized that losing their loyalty could be detrimental to the Northern war effort. He famously said he hoped to have God on his side but must have Kentucky. This statement highlights the importance of Kentucky as a crucial border state for the Union.
To prevent alienating the border states, the Northern strategy was influenced by a desire to avoid actions that might push them into secession. The Union actively pursued a policy of appeasement towards these states, allowing them to maintain a level of neutrality to prevent them from joining the Confederacy.
This strategy involved respecting their rights and avoiding aggressive military actions within their borders, even when it might have been militarily advantageous for the Union. The aim was to maintain a delicate balance and keep the border states on the Union side.
The fear of alienating the border states also influenced the Union's approach to emancipation and the issue of slavery during the war. Recognizing that these states still had slaves and were unwilling to accept immediate emancipation, Lincoln pursued a gradual approach to the abolition of slavery in order to maintain their loyalty.
In conclusion, the fear of alienating the border states significantly influenced the Northern strategy during the Civil War. The Union recognized their importance in maintaining a geographical advantage and worked to prevent them from joining the Confederacy. This resulted in a more cautious and appeasing approach towards these states, affecting the overall strategy and decisions made by the Union.