Did the British help the confederates in the American civil war?

Answer 1

It was very complicated. Britain and France were poised to intervene because of the cotton market. They were both highly dependent on Confederate cotton. It became complicated because if the North had cut off all cotton from the South, Britain and/or France would have been tempted to intervene to ensure their cotton supply. To prevent this from happening, the Lincoln administration allowed a certain amount of cotton to flow from the South to the North, where it was then sold to Europe. Other "contraband" was also allowed through as well. Also, a complex black market was allowed to thrive to a certain point. There is more to it, but it's a fascinating economic aspect of the Civil War.

Love Jack.

Answer 2

Bound's hubby here:

The Civil War was actually referred to as a civil insurrection, Lincoln never called it a Civil War because if he had, under International Law, anybody could jump in. That would have been disasterous for the Union since all of industrial Europe wanted Southern cotton, and the Vatican did exchange ambassadors with the Confederacy. Only Imperial Russia was ready and willing to side with the Union.

In order to conform with International Law, Britain did not provide military assistance ... but it did purchase Southern cotton, the most it could do to support the Confederacy!

Answer 3

actually the Brits helped the Yankees. they were going to enter the war on the Confederate side. this caused Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. the Brits needed the cotton from the South, but they had outlawed slavery, prior to the American Civil War. Popular opinion in England stopped the Brits.

Answer 4

The Government of England did NOT recognize the Confederate Government... but DID turn a blind eye to private citizens conducting trade. England had already abolished slavery

England was the BIG textile producer at the time and NEEDED southern cotton.

Private English shipyards built several ships for both southern blockade runners and for the Confederate Navy.

Answer 5

The British were poised to help the Confederacy for several reasons. However, when Lincoln gave the Emancipation Proclaimation, citing the war was an attempt to abolish slavery, England had an obligation to end slavery so they didn't aid the South. They were instrumental early in the war helping the South negate the Union's naval blockade though.

Answer 6

No. They were waiting to see if they could survive. The Union attacked their shipping lines, and basically destroyed the Confederate's ability to fight on the sea, making Britain steer away.

Answer 7

If the South had won at Gettysburg, then Britian would have openly comeout in support of the Confederacy.

Answer 8

actually no, unlike the first anwserer, the south had depended on cotton to ally with britian, but as it turned out, britian had a suplus of cotton, and needed insted the norths textile mills. they also saw the north as more economicaly advantageous, so they decided to stay neutral.

Answer 9

Not with troops but they did sell them weapons and ships. And gave them loans to buy more weapons and ships they also protected confederate spies and weapon agents in britian.

Answer 10

oficially they were neutral but yes they did in order to keep cotton at affordable prices