America's diplomatic front was critical during the war
1861 - The Trent affair, involving the removal of southern diplomats from a British ship, almost provoked war with Britain
1862 - Union Victory at Antietam led to the British decision not to join with France in a joint mediation of the war between the North and South
- British built commerce-raider, the Alabama captured over 60 Union vessels
1863 - Irish-American called Fenians wanted to help win Ireland's independence from Britain by invading Canada and holding it hostage > establishment of the Dominion of Canada in 1867
- Napoleon attempted to install Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico in clear violation of the Monroe Doctrine
Who Fought? Volunteers until 1862 in the South and 1863 in the North; Rich purchased exemptions and slave-owners were exempt
How was the war financed? Excise/income taxes, sale of war bonds in the North; taxes and bonds in the South; North created a new national banking system which sold government bonds and establishment a standard currency
Civil War spawned a "shoddy" millionaire class for the first time in history
The only major northern industry which suffered economically during the Civil War was foreign shipping (Alabama)
Copperheads: Northern citizens who opposed the war effort including Clement V. Vallandigham who supported the South (convicted of treason)
1864 Election: Lincoln was the candidate of the Union Party that was made up of Republicans and War Democrats
General McClellan was the candidate of the Peace Democrats and the Copperheads
A succession of northern victories (especially the capture of Atlanta) helped Lincoln win reelection
April 14, 1865 - Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theater which set the stage for the terrible ordeal of reconstruction
Legacy of the War - pp. 454-455