User:Divinarae/Kentucky Declaration of Neutrality

Impact of the Declaration
The impact of this decision was seen throughout the remaining of the war. Kentucky's land was often occupied by camps and troops from both the Union and the Confederacy, with control continually fluctuating between the two sides. This occupation only increased in 1862, after the Battle of Perryville, when a large portion of Kentucky became under Union control. Many Kentucky residents during this time developed their own opinions about the decision of neutrality. Some were in favor of remaining neutral in the war, while others opposed it, pushing in favor of the Union as well as the Confederacy.

Family homes were divided as a result of the decision, deriving the phrase “Brother against brother.” The state of Kentucky experienced much conflict within it’s borders during the American Civil War. As the war continued, Northern and Eastern Kentucky grew further from the ideology of slavery being a necessity in everyday life. While, as the residents from Western and Southern Kentucky, strongly sided with the Confederacy as they relied heavily on slave labor. In total, around 100,000 Kentuckians left to fight for Union Armies, while only 25,000-40,000 served Confederate troops. This only furthered the divide amongst Kentucky residents, as soldiers from both sides began to return home towards the end of the Civil War.

Geographic Reasons
Kentucky’s geographic location is sighted as a large reason why the state decided to remain neutral during the American Civil War. Standing directly between the Union States and the Confederate States, Kentucky inhabitants were influenced greatly from both sides. Northern and Eastern Kentucky strongly sided with the Union, while Southern and Western Kentucky agreed more with the Confederacy. Governor Beriah Magoffin knew that choosing a side in the war would upset a major portion state’s population, regardless of who Kentucky sided with. In effort to avoid rage-motivated riots and protests, as well as mass emigration of Kentucky’s population to other states, Magoffin decided remaining neutral was the best coarse of action.

Economic Reasons
Kentucky’s economy depended greatly on trade from northern states. By the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861 an average of 1,000 shipments were delivered from Cincinnati each week. Siding with the Confederacy would quickly result in trade between Kentucky and northern states being cut off, severely effecting Kentucky’s economic well-being. Trading with southern states, however, was strongly opposed by Kentuckians as the South had a strict Anti-Terrif Policy. Despide this, slave labor still greatly benefited Kentucky’s economy. Despite Governor Beriah Magoffin working to take preventive action, Kentucky’s economy still faced many damages after the American Civil War ended. Kentucky was forced to deal with the aftermath and pay for the damages of the thirteen battles that occurred within its borders during the American Civil War, putting the state under financial turmoil.

Kentucky Declaration of Neutrality was a resolution passed by the Kentucky Legislature declaring the Commonwealth of Kentucky officially neutral in the American Civil War. It was enacted on May 16, 1861, following Governor Beriah Magoffin's refusal to send troops to aid the Union in invading the South the previous month. Magoffin had flatly refused President Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to fight seceded Southern states. The Legislature passed the resolution in an effort to prevent Kentucky from seceding and also to prevent Kentucky from becoming a battleground. Kentucky remained neutral until September 4, 1861, when Confederate Major General Leonidas Polk ordered Brigadier General Gideon Johnson Pillow to occupy Columbus. The 13 battles fought in Kentucky included Barbourville, Camp Wildcat, Ivy Mountain, Rowlett's Station, Middle Creek, Mill Springs, Richmond, Munfordville, Perryville, Somerset, Lebanon, Puducah, and Cynthiana. Although, neutral, Kentucky was a key state during the Civil War. The battles that took place in Kentucky gave both the Union and the Confederacy key advantages and strongholds in the American Civil War.