foreign policy Flashcards
(19 cards)
introduction
After the Confederacy was formed following the secession of several Southern states, including South Carolina and Texas, the Confederacy immediately sought foreign recognition.
Their foregin policy had two main aims; to convince Britain and France to intervene and break the Union blockade, and to gain international recognition.
However, this wasn’t going to be easy as the main aim of Northern foregin policy was to prevent international recognition of the Confederacy.
Some historians such as James McPherson argue that Northern diplomatic skills were critical in ensuring European neutrality, others such as Alan Farmer argue that Union military success was critical in ensuring European neutrality, others such as Frank Owsley argue that it was economic factors
northern diplomacy
knowledge - trent affair
the trent affair (8th november 1861)
a british ship used to transport confederate ministers, mason and slidell to britiain in attempt to secure diplomatic recognition anf support from france and britain
northern diplomacy
analysis 1
However, the ship was seized by Union Captain Charles Wilkes who arrested Slidell and Manson and let the Trent go.
Initially, this caused tension between the Union and Britain because it was clear that Wilkes’ actions went against international maritime law.
northern diplomacy
knowledge 2
Indeed, there was a risk of war between Britain and the Union, British Prime Minister Palmerston’s cabinet therefore voted to send Washington an ultimatum demanding an apology and the release of the Confederate diplomats.
northern diplomacy
analysis 2
Wilkes’ actions led to British outrage, prompting them to be more inclined to offer support to the Confederacy as they resented the Union for ignoring the international maritime law.
northern diplomacy counter analysis
However, Lincoln made it clear that he wanted to avoid war, saying “one war at a time”, and therefore, he admitted that Wilkes had acted illegally and allowed Mason and Slidell to be let go.
Lincolns peaceful resolution to the issue strengthen Anglo-American relations as the Union’s willingness to release the Confederate envoys, showed a respect for British neutrality and international norms.
Lincoln’s ability to undo Wilkes’ actions highlighted how his actions were not a reflection of the Union, which convinced Britain not to resent the North.
northern diplomacy
evaluation
Lincolns actions proved that the Union were only interested in fighting a war against the Confederacy and wanted their relations between foreign powers to remain prominent.
Therefore, James McPherson argues, “the afterglow of this settlement left Anglo-American relations in better shape than before the crisis”, highlighting how Lincolns resolutions following the Trent Affair secured a positive relationship between Britan and the Union.
union military victories
knowledge 1
the significant union victory at antietam in septembet 1862 ensured euro neutrality
during the battle, mclellan fought lee in maryland, forcing confederate troops to retreat to virginia.
union military victories
analysis 1
Against this backdrop, Lincoln was given the power to issue the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, which inevitably sent a huge blow to the South as slavery, the institution that their economy and lifestyle was dependent on, was now abolished.
union military victories
knowledge 2
The issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation added a moral dimension to the war, which helped ensure European neutrality throughout the war. If Europe was to offer any support to the Confederacy following the passing of this Proclamation, it would be seen as them supporting a nation who actively supported the inhumane labour of enslaved pe
union military victories
analysis 2
Furthermore, other Union victories such as Gettysburg - July 1st to 3rd 1863 , This battle marked the turning point of the war
it ended Confederate Lees second invasion of the North, shifting the victory in favour of the North.
Indeed, Farmers argues, “there is no doubt that Gettysburg was a serious defeat to the Confederacy”. by 1863 the tide of the war was going in favour with the North, prompting Britian to remain neutral.
union militaary success
counter analysis
many upper-class British men, supported the Confederacy and felt that the North was setting a dangerous democratic example to the lower classes.
Indeed, the times argued “we nearly all wish, success of the Confederate cause”,
union military success
evaluation
however, the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation, following Antitiem can be attributed to Northern diplomacy instead of Union military victories, suggesting that that was the most important factor.
McPherson signifies the importance of the Emancipation Proclamation by arguing “by enabling Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation the battle also ensured that Britain would think twice about intervening against a government fighting for freedom as well as Union”.
economic factors
knowledge 1
countries were also heavily dependent on the Union for resources.
Indeed, crop failures in Western Europe in 1860-1862 increased British dependence on American grain and flour meaning that during the first two years of the American Civil War, the Union states supplied nearly half of British grain and flour.
economic factors
analysis 1
britain acted out of self interest, although it depended on the south for cotton, it also needed northern grain, by staying neutral allowed it to acess both.
economic factors
knowledge 2
the south believed that the power of “king cotton” would enable foreign recognition of the confederacy.
economic factors
analysis 2
economic factors
counter analysis
However, cotton was almost as crucial to British economy as it was to Confederate economy and Britain imported 3/4s of its cotton from the South.
This suggests that economic factors were not the most important reason for European neutrality as Britain was still willing to trade and therefore offered support to the Confederacy from their reliance on Cotton.
economic factors
evaluation
To evaluate, economic factors were significant in ensuring European neutrality as Frank Owsley argues that British demands for wheat were stronger than their demands for cotton, suggesting that Britain felt obliged to not offer support to the Confederacy during the war.
However, Northern diplomacy was more significant because Britian still supported the Confederacy through buying their cotton.
