Question

why was lincoln determined to keep the border states in the union?

they were needed to protect the capital.
they contained most of the souths large plantations.
they had all voted to secede by narrow margins.
they contained the most of the souths commercial harbors.

Explanation:

Identify the strategic importance of the border states

Using the Civil War Border States and Strategic Value of Border States knowledge points

• The border states (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri) were slave states that did not secede from the Union.
• Maryland was particularly critical because it surrounded Washington, D.C., on three sides; if Maryland seceded, the Union capital would be entirely cut off and trapped deep within Confederate territory.

Evaluate the given options

Using the Strategic Value of Border States knowledge point

• Option 1 ("They were needed to protect the capital."): This is historically accurate. Keeping Maryland in the Union was vital to prevent the capital, Washington, D.C., from being surrounded by Confederate territory.
• Option 2 ("They contained most of the South's large plantations."): Incorrect. The Deep South contained the vast majority of large cotton plantations.
• Option 3 ("They had all voted to secede by narrow margins."): Incorrect. These states did not vote to secede; they chose to remain in the Union.
• Option 4 ("They contained the most of the South's commercial harbors."): Incorrect. Major southern commercial harbors were located in seceded states like Louisiana (New Orleans), South Carolina (Charleston), and Alabama (Mobile).

Answer:

• (A) They were needed to protect the capital. (Correct answer)
• (B) They contained most of the South's large plantations.
• (C) They had all voted to secede by narrow margins.
• (D) They contained the most of the South's commercial harbors.