jan 1, 1866 - Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy (POL)(WOR)

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Although the American Civil War began as a military campaign of the Union to reunite seceded states of the Union against the Confederacy looking for independence, several foreign countries entered a foray into diplomacy in support of both parties of the war. The Confederates lobbied Britain and France for help as they were an important importer of southern produced cotton. France wanted to mediate the conflict along with Britain so it could mitigate U.S. influence in Mexico, but Britain would not risk a conflict with the Union and quickly found reliance in Cotton from Egypt. The Confederacy sent several emissaries to Europe in search of support but failed in its pleas. The Union’s influence was stronger in the court of diplomatic opinion where the Union was a recognized as the United States. The Confederate States were considered unlawful and unrecognized breakaway states.

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