Will Kürlich Kerl
Banned
What happens if Virginia decides to declare itself neutral in the American Civil War instead of outright siding with the Confederates?
WI: Virginia pulls a Kentucky and declares itself neutral in ACW
- Thread starter Will Kürlich Kerl
- Start date
Admiral Halsey
Banned
Don't know how likely this is but if they did they most likely side with the side that doesn't invade them first. Also Lee would then accept the offer of Command of all Union forces in this scenario.
Anaxagoras
Banned
I think that the Union forces will still move to occupy Alexandria and other points directly across the Potomac from Washington City as quickly as possible, since the capital simply had to be secured. This would put them in the position that the Confederates found themselves vis-à-vis Kentucky IOTL and probably trigger Virginia's secession anyway.
I suppose it's possible, if unlikely, that Lincoln could assure the Virginia authorities that his troops would not move beyond the environs of Washington, but that would probably not be all that convincing.
Now, if somehow Virginia maintains its neutrality, the Confederacy is deeply screwed. After all, North Carolina and Tennessee might hesitate before jumping onto the Confederate bandwagon.
I suppose it's possible, if unlikely, that Lincoln could assure the Virginia authorities that his troops would not move beyond the environs of Washington, but that would probably not be all that convincing.
Now, if somehow Virginia maintains its neutrality, the Confederacy is deeply screwed. After all, North Carolina and Tennessee might hesitate before jumping onto the Confederate bandwagon.
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas all seceded before Virginia did.
Not only that, they will have even greater shortages of manpower and industry than they did OTL. Virginia had one of the largest white populations of the OTL Confederate States and contained more industry than any other southern state.
Cryostorm
Monthly Donor
Not to mention Virginia sitting out means North Carolina, and possibly Tennessee, will as well further screwing the CSA of industry and white population not to mention losing one of its better ports, Wilmington held out until the end.