Crisis in the Border States
On June 8, 1861, Tennessee passed its resolution of secession which brought the number of Confederate states to eleven which is regarded as its full number. Still to be determined was the status of the four remaining slave states: Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, and Maryland. Each state possessed the potential to be a thorn in the side of the Union should it choose to secede. Kentucky would provide the Confederacy with access to the Ohio River and pose a grave threat to the Union center. Maryland loomed as perhaps the most crucial state of the Civil War in 1861. the loss of Maryland would leave the Northern capital of Washington, DC cut off form the rest of its nation.
With a scant population of slave owners, Delaware elected to remain in the Union. States like Missouri and Kentucky were torn between factions that supported the North and the South as well as a faction that supported neutrality. Local governments were split and state governments either failed, were replaced, or shadow governments were created to influence the direction each state would go. In both states, "Orphan" segments were raised allowing citizens to join the side they favored. Both states eventually sided with the Union...for the most part.
Maryland proved to be the most important due to its proximity to the nations capital and the nation's population centers. Although the slave population in Maryland was not comparatively large, there was a strong desire by many to join the Confederacy. Drastic measures were needed and taken to secure Maryland's place in the Union.
Violence erupted in the streets of Baltimore when Union troops traveled by foot to connect to their train relay on their way to Washington, DC. Angry citizens mobbed the fresh infantry troops who returned fire. Confederat leaning publishers and legislators were arrested without trial. Baltimore was occupied by Federal troops. Martial law was declared. Those who already criticized the head hand of the national government felts justified in calling the new president a tyrant.
With a scant population of slave owners, Delaware elected to remain in the Union. States like Missouri and Kentucky were torn between factions that supported the North and the South as well as a faction that supported neutrality. Local governments were split and state governments either failed, were replaced, or shadow governments were created to influence the direction each state would go. In both states, "Orphan" segments were raised allowing citizens to join the side they favored. Both states eventually sided with the Union...for the most part.
Maryland proved to be the most important due to its proximity to the nations capital and the nation's population centers. Although the slave population in Maryland was not comparatively large, there was a strong desire by many to join the Confederacy. Drastic measures were needed and taken to secure Maryland's place in the Union.
Violence erupted in the streets of Baltimore when Union troops traveled by foot to connect to their train relay on their way to Washington, DC. Angry citizens mobbed the fresh infantry troops who returned fire. Confederat leaning publishers and legislators were arrested without trial. Baltimore was occupied by Federal troops. Martial law was declared. Those who already criticized the head hand of the national government felts justified in calling the new president a tyrant.
* * * Discussion Questions * * *
1. In what ways did the border state chaos represent the divisions within the nation?
2. In what ways did the border state chaos represent the fractured nature within the Union and the Confederacy?
3. What extreme measures did Union leaders use to secure the loyalty of Maryland?
4. Were the measures Constitutional? Were they justified? What is the difference?
2. In what ways did the border state chaos represent the fractured nature within the Union and the Confederacy?
3. What extreme measures did Union leaders use to secure the loyalty of Maryland?
4. Were the measures Constitutional? Were they justified? What is the difference?
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
The state song inspired by the Pratt Street Riot
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The story of the Pratt Street Riot
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The story of the border states who waited in limbo
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