GDG- Re: Defeat of AoP, Recognition by Britain

[Tom Ryan]

My recollection of how this would play out was that following British and/or
French diplomatic recognition of the Confederacy, these foreign countries
would no longer acknowledge the right to a blockade.  Once the ports were
reopened, this would strengthen the South considerably.  Also, many other
countries would follow suit (e.g., the Vatican and Belgium said they would
follow France's lead).  The international pressure on the U.S. would grow to
the point that the entire atmosphere surrounding the struggle would change.
I doubt whether the North could hold onto the South once all that happened.

Tom Ryan


<<I don't thinkincoln cared a whit as to whether or notBritain recognized
the Confederacy. It wasn't French recognition of theUnited Colonies
thatturned the tide in the revolution, it was intervention. Intervention
isdifferent than recognition.>>