union millitary success Flashcards
(6 cards)
topic sentence
Some historians such as Alan Farmer argue that Union military success was more important than Northern diplomacy in ensuring European neutrality.
evidence 1 - antitiem + emancipation proclamation
The Union victory at Antitiem on 17th September 1862, ensured European neutrality. During the battle, Union Gen. McClellan battled Confederate Gen. Robert E Lee’s army in Sharpsburg, Maryland, forcing Confederate troops to retreat to Virginia. Against this backdrop, Lincoln was given the power to issue the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, which inevitably sent a huge blow to the South it declared that all enslaved people in teh Confederacy were “forever free”, meaning that they couldn’t depend on slave labour to run their economy anymore. 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 people. Moving in line with British public opinion and forgein policy, they therefore decided to remain neutral.
counter analysis
However, 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”, suggesting that Union military victories was not the most important reason for European neutrality as some British people still supported the Confederacy after their losses.
evidence 2 - gettysburg
Furthermore, other Union victories such as Gettysburg - July 1st to 3rd 1863 , were important in sustaining European neutrality throughout the war. 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”
analysis 2
Therefore, Union military victories were important in sustaining European neutrality throughout the war because by 1863 the tide of the war was going in favour with the North, prompting Britian to remain neutral. If Britian was to offer support to the Confederacy, they would essentially be offering support to a lost cause, meaning that they wouldn’t gain any benefits from these relations
evaluation
To evaluate, Union military victories can be seen as an important factor for ensuring European neutrality throughout the war, 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”.
