Brits in the Civil War

[MaddieM]

A World On Fire: An Epic History Of Two Nations Divided, by Amanda Foreman (published by Allen Lane,


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...l-war.html

[HerbS]

I read the review of"A World On Fire"-Excellent book! I have been very interested in the Brits since my days at Oxford.There is a connection to my great-grandfather[160th NY] and the NY British Vols.Their Regiments were in the"Red River"campaign.My great-grandfather was a wounded POW there and sent to a Texas Prison and lived.Some Brit's Regiments were also sent there.

[JMadonna]

I have read it, on Kindle. It's long but certainly not boring in anyway. I kind of enjoyed the condescending attitude of the British at the beginning of the war and how it changed on a dime in late 1864 to one of fear of getting involved in a war over Jacob Thompson and the boys.

I recommend it.

[Thomas Thorne]

Everyone should read the Foreman book.

I believe the only serious threat of British intervention was over the Trent affair in 1861 which impacted a vital British interest, the safety of their merchant marine. The role reversal of Britain and the US in the Civil War from the War of 1812 over maritime neutral rights is fascinating.

I agree with Allan Nevins who argued that despite all the noise made by Lord Palmerston and William Gladstone about intervention in late 1862, no British government would have seriously contemplated war, in the absence of a vital British interest,with a powerful United States which might have done England dreadful injury. Intervention against a prostrate US, when it was no longer necessary, to solidify a successful Confederate gain of independence, would have been both superfluous and risk free.
Tom

[Linda Anderson]

For those who have read it, how is Seward portrayed in the book? I started listening to the audio book a while ago and it seemed that every time the narrator mentioned Seward's name, he said it with a sneer.

[L Verge]

I have been waiting for the appearance of a book on Seward, Lincoln, and foreign affairs that was being worked on several years ago. Its working title was American Braggadocio, and it was also harsh on Mr. Seward.

[Thomas Thorne]

I believe the title of the book Laurie cited "American Braggadocio" also summed up Amanda Foreman's opinion of Seward. If her book has a hero,it is Lord Lyons,who according to Ms F spent his time as British Minister giving Seward a tutorial on the diplomatic facts of life.
Tom

[Linda Anderson]

(03-22-2014 05:35 PM)Thomas Thorne Wrote:  I believe the title of the book Laurie cited "American Braggadocio" also summed up Amanda Foreman's opinion of Seward. If her book has a hero,it is Lord Lyons,who according to Ms F spent his time as British Minister giving Seward a tutorial on the diplomatic facts of life.
Tom

Thanks, Tom. The narrator's pronunciation was a little distracting so I think I'll just read the book instead of listening to it.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(03-22-2014 03:16 PM)Thomas Thorne Wrote:  Everyone should read the Foreman book.

I believe the only serious threat of British intervention was over the Trent affair in 1861 which impacted a vital British interest, the safety of their merchant marine. The role reversal of Britain and the US in the Civil War from the War of 1812 over maritime neutral rights is fascinating.

I agree with Allan Nevins who argued that despite all the noise made by Lord Palmerston and William Gladstone about intervention in late 1862, no British government would have seriously contemplated war, in the absence of a vital British interest,with a powerful United States which might have done England dreadful injury. Intervention against a prostrate US, when it was no longer necessary, to solidify a successful Confederate gain of independence, would have been both superfluous and risk free.
Tom

I agree.The Brits benefited from selling ships and weapons to the South and could (due to national and international laws) only do this as neutral state to the bellingents. Plus the launching of the ironclads frightened the Brits and let them worry that their own fleet was made obsolete.

[JMadonna]

(03-22-2014 05:35 PM)Thomas Thorne Wrote:  I believe the title of the book Laurie cited "American Braggadocio" also summed up Amanda Foreman's opinion of Seward. If her book has a hero,it is Lord Lyons,who according to Ms F spent his time as British Minister giving Seward a tutorial on the diplomatic facts of life.
Tom

That's true but during the critical period of 1864-1865 she quotes Lyon as praising Seward when he (Lyon) was away from the scene.

In truth, Seward was an expansionist who felt Canada should be part of the US. He had his opportunity during that time with the NY Press looking for revenge, but he calmed the fury and let the opportunity pass.

[AussieMick]

A useful source on the Brits attitudes can be found on the below website. Its a little fiddly to get around until you get used to it. You can search on keywords and then select a relevant year and zoom into the actual page, then scroll up and down.
Sometimes the page has been 'downloaded' making it easier to read, sometimes the download seems a bit garbled and its easier to read the actual page.

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