Did any foreign countries get directly involved in the US Civil War?

Question

Thanks.

Great replies! Thanks very much!

Answer 1

No foreign country ever officially recognized the Confederacy. When Lincoln established the naval blockade of the Confederate states, preventing trade with Europe, he was risking England and France becoming allies of the Confederacy, but they did not do so. In fact, may European nations then declared their neutrality in the conflict. Both England and France considered offering their services to mediate between the two sides, but in the end they did not do that either. There were some British blockade runners, but they were not officially taking sides, they were simply profiteers.

Answer 2

If you mean by directly to have forces involved in the war the answer would be no. But European countries, especially Great Britian and France traded with the Confederacy which certainly aided the Confederate cause. The French also invaded Mexico during the war, and their involvement caused President Lincoln to focus on Texas as a way to offset any possible French involvement.

Excellent points milkmaid

Answer 3

I don't believe any governments directly engaged in battles, although thousands of Canadians fought alongside the Northern armies with some becoming even generals. This is not to say that the rest of the modern world was ignoring the war. Had it not ended when it had, or had the South exercised better diplomacy, there would have been involvement. An excellent reference I found is the following website: http://www.civilwarhome.com/europeandcivilwar.htm

Answer 4

Britain

Free Trade was seen as being 'British' and many believed (and still do) that British finance and influence in the South was akin to a British colony within the USA. Given the trade links with the Southern cotton and tobacco industries, and the hostility with the North, it was natural that the British should side with the Confederate States. The recognition of the Confederate States as a belligerent power did nothing to improve relations between Britain and the Union.

Answer 5

I believe France and England got into the mix because of trade aspects. The South was exporting cotton as one major resource. I suggest looking this topic up on the Internet; I'm sure much can be explained better than this short reply can do.

Answer 6

Well yes in that according to Howards Zinns Peoples History of the US, it was trade pressure from Europe much stronger than ethical moral standards of the forefathers that influenced the abolishment of slavery. That may not be as direct as you meant, but it pretty much nullifies the halo image we use for these guys in US textbooks who mainly really just wanted the economic gain and gave in to the abolishionists
Another perhaps more direct involvement was Ireland! Of course over two hundred thousand of Irish men (and boys) were recruited on both sides often the moment they set foot on US soil!
other than that I do not know

Answer 7

look at it this way, Israel is a chum of the rustic. If it weren't for the rustic in Iraq, united states of america coping with Palestinians, united states of america coping with terrorism, united states of america coping with Arabs basically how long do you think of Israel might exist? " Is Iraq well worth American lives?" you ask, the respond is " is Iraq well worth Jewish lives? once you start to look on the situation in this mild then the complexion of this conflict adjustments critically. It has continuously been over Israel and the thought they are basically there for the oil is in elementary terms a pawn to conceal the reality that they are somewhat there in elementary terms for the Jews. now could be that erroneous? The Jews do should exist and for the Arabs to compliment to absolutely annihilate them isn't a thank you to circulate the two. So the international must be certain a existence-style peacefully together. Hitler and the countless German human beings did no longer like the Jews the two yet we see how worrying their way of removing them became and that certainly became no longer stunning. the respond could be that the two aspects might desire to alter so they might co-exist with one yet another on the planet. i think of celebrity Trek has the comparable situation with the Federation attempting to make peace between the differing area pals who look sure. bent and desperate to kill one yet another off. The Bush administration feels that they might end it with extra troops yet until the attempt somewhat contraptions back the enemies of Israel i do no longer think of the rustic would be going too a techniques away. in spite of in the event that they do it will be in elementary terms to the Persian Gulf or someplace else the place they sit down in vast destroyers and airplane companies with all weapons pointed at Iraq, Iran and whoever else Bush thinks will, " carry it on ".

Answer 8

There were huge interests internationally. Cotton and tobacco were huge exports. France and England had huge interests in the outcome of the war.

Answer 9

Don't think so, I don't recall ever reading where anyone else was involved other than the Union and Confederacy.