Baltimore was subjected to forced occupation in the Civil War

Maryland is still very far north, making it theoretically a Southern state, which puts it in need of a solution. Maryland opted to remain neutral and take no sides when the succession started. However, the Confederacy made the decision to take advantage of the chance to establish it due to its geographic location and its substantial reliance on slavery for sugar production.

Fighting broke out as a unit of Union soldiers arrived in Baltimore with greetings and demands, resulting in the first Civil War fatalities. It didn't take long for the Confederacy to take control of Baltimore, and this occupation continued throughout the war.

The consequences were taken for granted, and this set off a series of events, including Baltimore was unable to continue selling sugar to the Southern states; the slave trade started to flourish; and after the slaves were successfully freed, Baltimore became an ideal location for them to settle down. Baltimore consequently almost exclusively became an African American metropolis.