Lincoln and Seward-- Part 4: A Question of Aristocracy, Cotton and Slavery

Mason Slidell was a strong advocate of slavery and an author of the Fugitive Slave Law.  England was anti-slavery at the time.

However, England viewed the Confederacy as an aristocracy since the rich plantation owners ran most of it.  Pl;us, the U.S. was fast becoming a serious threat to British power and a challenge in democracy.  British commoners generally, however, supported the North.

The Confederacy considered cotton as a vital aspect of getting England's recognition and even put an embargo on it to force its hand.  However, cotton was found from other sources and England textile mills continued operating.

Slavery was the main reason England never recognized the Confederacy.  It had been abolished in the country in 1772 and in the Empire it became illegal in 1833.

--Old Secesh