During the Civil War, "Copperheads" were Northern Democrats who supported the Union but opposed some of President Lincoln’s actions, like ending slavery and limiting states’ rights. In West Virginia, some leaders, including John S. Carlile, shared these views. Though he first supported West Virginia statehood, Carlile later opposed it because he believed Congress shouldn't force states to end slavery. Other conservative Unionists in the area felt the war had become too focused on abolishing slavery.