Question

Lincoln took special care with the border states because

Answer 1

They felt that the states should be able to leave the country if they wanted. The border states were the primary reason that President Lincoln waited so long to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Abolitionists in the North were demanding that he free the slaves. However, Lincoln knew he needed to win the war.

Answer 2

The Border States were vital to the success of the Union. ... This failure to gain emancipation in the Border States was 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.