Much Ado About Nothing: British Non-Intervention During The American Civil War

Abstract

During the American Civil War the Federals and Confederates believed that Britain was likely to intervene. This belief is pervasive in current historiography, which argues that Britain was constantly on the threshold of interfering in the American conflict. Taking a longer view of the Anglo-American diplomatic relationship, as well as the relevance of contextual British economic, social, political and foreign policy interests and limitations, this thesis argues that Britain was never going to abandon neutrality. Drawing on the personal papers and official correspondence of diplomats and politicians, it becomes clear that occasionally aggressive transatlantic rhetoric was a negotiating strategy for two nations concerned with maintaining peace at all costs.