Lincoln & the Border States

Definition

This refers to President Abraham Lincoln's strategy during the Civil War to keep the border states (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri) in the Union. These were slave states that did not secede from the Union.

Analogy

Think of this like a coach trying to keep their team together when some players are thinking about quitting. The coach has to use different strategies and incentives to ensure these players stay on board because their departure could significantly weaken the team.

Related terms

Secession: This is the act of withdrawing from an organization or union. In this context, it refers to Southern states leaving the United States to form their own government known as Confederate States of America.

Emancipation Proclamation: A declaration made by President Lincoln in 1862 that declared all slaves in Confederate-held territory were free. However, it didn't apply to Border States as they were still part of the Union.

Civil War: A war fought from 1861-1865 between Northern states (Union) and Southern states (Confederacy) that had seceded from U.S., primarily over issues related slavery.