Question

Why did Lincoln need the support of the border states?

Answer 1

The capital Washington DC was located partly in the border state of Maryland. If Maryland had joined the Confederacy. the Civil War might have been over before it started.

Explanation:

Washington DC was the capital of the Union. It is located between Virginia and Maryland. If Maryland had joined the Confederacy the capital of the Union would have been captured. It is possible that this would have ended the civil war and resulted in two nations splitting the union.

Kentucky another border state was vital to the Union. From Kentucky Southern Armies could strike all the Union States along the Ohio River. Transportation along the Ohio River could easily be blocked isolating the Eastern part of the Union from supplies and support from the western states.

With Kentucky staying in the Union and Tennesse spilt between the north and south, Union forces were able to control the rivers winning the war in the west. Eventually conquering Vicksburg and taking control of the Mississippi.

It is interesting to note that the Emancipation proclamation did not free the slaves in the border states only the states in the Confederacy. Freeing the slaves in the border states might have cost Lincoln the support of the border states. As important as freeing the slaves was to Lincoln the support of the border states was more important to the war effort.