Foreign Recognition or Not? - Belligerent Status of the Confederacy

The Trent Affair

Why did the Confederacy Need Foreign Recognition?

During the Civil War, one of the major goals of the Confederacy was to achieve foreign recognition as an independent nation. If it could receive recognition, it could trade for supplies and weapons and may even be able to coax another nation to declare war on the United States. Because southern cotton was an essential component used to make clothing and materials in European textile mills, it was confident it could achieve recognition.

The European Dilemma

In Europe, however, there were several factors that prevented the recognition of the Confederacy. First, such a declaration would almost certainly be seen as an act of war by the United States. Secondly, European nations were generally disgusted by the practice of slavery, which of course, powered the entire cotton industry in the Confederate States of America. Furthermore, England had accumulated enough cotton to last more than a year after the start of the Civil War. European nations, however,  may have been willing to look past the first two problems, if they believed the Confederates could actually win the war. The Confederates would need to prove this by attaining a major victory in northern soil. If the Confederacy proved that it was strong enough to potentially win the war, it may have been worth the risk and investment by other nations.

Belligerent Status

At the onset of the war, the British decided on a wait and see mode. They granted the CSA belligerent status, which meant it would be willing to carry on limited trade with it, albeit not trade for arms and weapons. Other European nations followed suit. Ultimately, while the Confederacy did win many important battles in the war, it could not achieve victory on northern soil, and thus, would never be recognized.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was foreign recognition so important to the Confederacy during the Civil War?
  2. What were the main reasons European nations did not support the Confederacy?
  3. How did slavery affect the South’s chances of gaining foreign support?
  4. What might have changed if the Confederacy had won a big battle in the North?

The Need for Foreign Help

During the Civil War, the Confederacy wanted foreign countries to recognize it as an independent nation. With official recognition, the South could trade for supplies and weapons, and maybe even get help in fighting the United States. Since Europe relied on Southern cotton for its textile factories, the Confederacy believed this would give them support.

Europe’s Tough Choice

European countries had several reasons not to recognize the Confederacy. Doing so could start a war with the United States. Also, many Europeans disliked slavery, which supported the Southern economy. England had stored enough cotton to last over a year, so they didn’t need more right away. If the South could win a big battle in the North, however, Europe might have thought they had a real chance of winning the war.

Belligerent Status

At the beginning of the war, Great Britain took a cautious approach. They gave the Confederacy "belligerent status," which allowed limited trade but no weapons. Other European countries did the same. In the end, the South never won a major battle in Northern territory, so it was never officially recognized by any foreign nation.