Which states were free states during the Civil War?
The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, primarily driven by the issue of slavery. During this tumultuous period, the United States was divided into two factions: the Union, which sought to preserve the Union and end slavery, and the Confederacy, which aimed to secede from the Union and maintain the institution of slavery. The question of which states were free states during the Civil War is essential to understanding the political landscape of the time.
The term “free state” refers to those states that had abolished slavery before the Civil War. These states were part of the Union and were opposed to the expansion of slavery into new territories. The free states were predominantly located in the Northern part of the United States, although some were situated in the border region between the North and the South.
The following list includes the free states during the Civil War:
1. Maine
2. Vermont
3. Massachusetts
4. New Hampshire
5. Rhode Island
6. Connecticut
7. New York
8. New Jersey
9. Pennsylvania
10. Ohio
11. Indiana
12. Illinois
13. Michigan
14. Wisconsin
15. Minnesota
These states, with the exception of New Jersey and Delaware, were located entirely in the Northern region of the United States. New Jersey and Delaware were considered border states, as they had a significant number of slaves but were also part of the Union and had abolished slavery before the Civil War.
The free states played a crucial role in the Union’s efforts to defeat the Confederacy. Their population, resources, and industrial capacity provided the Union with a significant advantage over the Confederacy. Additionally, the free states were instrumental in the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territories were to be freed.
The free states’ commitment to the abolition of slavery and their support for the Union were essential factors in the ultimate victory of the Union and the end of slavery in the United States. Understanding which states were free states during the Civil War helps us appreciate the complex political and social dynamics that shaped this critical period in American history.
