Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

border-states

noun

/ˈbɔːrdər steɪts/

Definition

The border states refer to slave states that did not secede from the Union during the American Civil War.

Examples

During the Civil War, the border states included Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware.
The unique position of the border states complicated the Union’s efforts in the war.
Many leaders from the border states sought to balance their loyalty to the Union and their cultural ties to the South.

Meaning

These states were located on the border between the North and the South, and they played a significant role in the conflict by influencing military and political strategies.