Answer to Question #89761 in History for niah

Question

Why were the Border States so important to Lincoln and the Union? What did these states say about the President and the stance of the Union? Why was Britain not as dependent on Southern cotton as the Confederacy had believed?

Answer 1

The Border States were vital to the success of the Union. This failure to gain emancipation in the Border Stateswas one of the major reasons he felt it necessary to draft the Emancipation Proclamation. In addition to the slavery issue, Lincoln had to delicately balance the military force in all the Border States. Britain was not as dependent on Southern cotton as the Confederacy had believed because cotton could also be obtained from Egypt and India.