What Was the Position of Her Majesty’s Government During the American Civil War from 1861-1865; What Influenced It, and How Was It Maintained?

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| What was the position of Her Majesty’s Government during the American Civil War from 1861-1865; what influenced it, and how was it maintained? An IB Extended Essay in History Nicholas R. French Colonel By Secondary School 0953 IB Candidate Number: 000953-127 Assignment Supervisor: Mr. D. Parsons Session: May 2014 Word Count: 3 942 Abstract – 145 words The objective of this essay is to assess the question of, ‘What was the position of Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) during the American Civil War, what influenced it and how was it maintained? ’, and once done defend and prove it. This essay will address the beginning of the Civil War and the response by HMG to it. Once done this essay will examine the cases in which Britain nearly came to war or intervention throughout the American Civil War, the causes of that and the role played by members of HMG in resisting it. Finally, a vital part of this essay will evaluate the effect of how external forces threatened the policy of HMG. The conclusion of this essay will be that HMG was desperate to keep out of the American Civil War yet because of that became locked in a Battle for Neutrality that if lost would have dragged Britain into the conflict. Introduction The four year struggle of the American Civil War from 1861-1865 cost the lives of more than 620,000 soldiers and 50,000 civilians. The policy of The British Empire as set by Her Majesty’s Government was to avoid becoming embroiled in the conflict on either side, in short to remain neutral. To senior members of HMG the risks of becoming involved through recognition, conflict or mediation were too great. However neither the United States nor the Confederacy was contented by this and from the very beginning HMG was pitted in a fierce battle for neutrality from the twin forces of Yankee antagonism and Southern favouritism. NEUTRALITY

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