economic factors Flashcards
(5 cards)
topic sentence
Furthermore, some historians such as Susan Mary Grant argue that economic factors were important in ensuring European neutrality throughout the civil war.
evidence 1 - forgein dependence of union
Britain was highlight dependent on American grain between 1861-1862, as ½ of British grain was imported from America during this time period due to crop failures. This ensured European neutrality because it Britian’s dependence on the Union for grain meant that they could not actively support a the Confederacy as if Britain were to be seen offering support to the enemy, the Union may withdraw their grain imports to Britain, which could result mass unemployment in agricultural industries and also food shortages due to grain being a staple food source. Britain was aware of this, so ensured that they remained neutral throughout the war.
counter analysis
However, Britain was also highly dependent on Southern cotton as it accounted for 77% of their £800 millions of cotton. This suggests that economic factors were not the most important reason for ensuring European neutrality because it highlights how Britain were heavily reliant on Confederate crops, prompting them to intervene to support the Confederacy as without Confederate cotton, they would find it hard to access any cotton supplies
evidence 2 - cotton embargo
Furthermore, the Southern cotton Embargo of late 1861 ensured European neutrality. This was where the South prevented the export of cotton to foreign nations to encourage foreign intervention of the war as they recognised Britains reliance on Southern cotton. However, this failed for a number of reasons, such as Britain wanting to avoid war with the larger nation (the Union), and European powers predicting the outbreak of war, so buying up supplies in 1859-60. This ensured European neutrality because Britain was motivated by self-interest, meaning that when they weren’t as dependent on Southern cotton, they were less likely to intervene to help them during the war because they were not gaining any benefits from this.
evaluation
To evaluate, economic factors were critical in ensuring European neutrality as Susan – Mary Grant argues, “Britain were more likely to support the Union from a far”, which suggests that despite Britain being reliant on Southern cotton, they were also reliant on American crop, prompting them to remain neutral throughout the conflict. However, this can’t be seen as the most important reason because Britain was still offering support to the Confederacy as they were boosting their economy by purchasing Confederate cotton.
