- Joined
- Jul 26, 2018
"One war at a time." A. Lincoln. Wonderful fantasy, but Lincoln, admitted the US error in the Trent Affair, restrained US forces from chasing Confederates into Canada, and adopted a blockade in accordance with international law. He was very well aware of international opinion and took it into account. Within the bounds of the "if," why would the British support the Confederacy? The friend of my enemy is not necessarily my friend. The British government would, in my humble opinion, be very cautious about supporting a nation founded on the freedom to enslave. Lincoln had the option of a very public cashiering of the US officer to appease the British, which, I believe, he did not need to use in actuality. He could have made a major apology mea culpa etc. The Union did not need foreign support. Neutrality served very well. A way to avoid war and save face would be the policy most beneficial to the Brits and they knew it.