How was your life when disagreeing with your environment?

It would depend on some extent the dissidents, if they took up arms, obviously that's going to draw unfavorable treatment.

My state was probably as divided, and as bitterly as any. But think if a community actually remained neutral, it was largely left alone. Bethel and Hermann come to mind.
Sometimes being neutral just means you get raided by both sides. A lot of that went on in Kansas, I doubt anyone was allowed to be neutral.
 
Sometimes being neutral just means you get raided by both sides. A lot of that went on in Kansas, I doubt anyone was allowed to be neutral.
Each side raided those percieved to be allied to the other, there were some that were able to demonstrate a true neutrality to be left alone, the Bethel colony is good example.

Germans tended to be pro-union and lean abolishionists which generally drew attention to them, but the Bethel religious commune was able to be neither and didn't offend it's neighbors. Both sides left them alone.
 
I found this online:

The War at Home: Copperheads Down East, 1861-1865

mdihistory.org › wp-content › uploads › The-War-at-H...
PDF
by T Garrity — In the common American memory of the Civil War, Maine is counted among the northern states most solidly ... 12 Despite New England's position as the seat of ...

I bought a book at our state capital last year on the Copperheads in NH. I'll go see if I can find it! I remember thinking when I had 10 books on the CW I had a lot! :eek: I couldn't put my hand on it last night :banghead:.
 
I found it!

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Each side raided those percieved to be allied to the other, there were some that were able to demonstrate a true neutrality to be left alone, the Bethel colony is good example.

Germans tended to be pro-union and lean abolishionists which generally drew attention to them, but the Bethel religious commune was able to be neither and didn't offend it's neighbors. Both sides left them alone.
I am aware of the 'Bethel Springs' community near Purdy, Mississippi because the railroad ran through it into Corinth, and it was a confederate outpost when the Yankees came down river to Crump's landing in 1862, prior to Shiloh. They ran some raids that direction trying to cut communications. I didn't know the community had German origins. Which 'Bethel' is it you refer to, so I may know?
Thanks,
Lubliner.
 
No it's a rather interesting German religious commune started in Bethel MO by a Dr Kiel, they also started a second one in Oregon.


The midwest is littered with failed socialist/communistic/religious communities/utopias. A lot of immigrants came here with pie in the sky ideals. There's several within day trip distance of me. Long term they could not compete with individual freedom and capitalism.
 
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