What are confederate sympathizers?

Confederate sympathizers were individuals or groups in the Northern states during the American Civil War who supported the Confederacy and its cause, often advocating for the Southern states' rights to secede from the Union. They may have provided material support, such as food, supplies, or information, to Confederate troops or expressed their allegiance through political discourse and social activities. Their motivations varied, ranging from shared cultural values to opposition to abolitionist sentiments. Despite being in the Union, their support for the Confederacy was often met with significant social and legal consequences.