Why did countries in Europe not support the confederacy?

Answer 1

Europe didn't intervene in the American Civil War because of purely economic reasons and purely social reasons. Europe was home to some of the greatest US exports, and because of the US, they had created a very vibrant economy. But, European aristocrats saw slavery as the pin that held the US economy together; and in some regards, it was. Because of this, the European governments were economically bound not the help the North, because this would overturn slavery in US, and thus, US economy. But, Europeans had a strong distaste for using slaves, however hipocritical this may have been. And most European governments feared a rebellion if they were to fight for slavery in a foreign land. Thus, Europe was not permitted to help the South. Which only left the European governments with the option of sit and wait.

Answer 2

Because Lincoln headed them off by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation - turning the war into an official crusade against slavery, so that free nations abroad could not aid the Confederates without looking pro-slavery themselves.

The author that wrote the above probably believes that, but I don't.

Europeans did support the South! The Rothschilds wanted to be Americas banker. They knew that if the nation could be broken into two, the weaker nations would need them. The Rothschilds wanted and started the war!

On August 22, 1862 Lincoln said in a letter to Horace Greeley: I know with absolute certainty that the division of the United States into two parts was decided long before the Civil War by the financial powers of Europe. These bankers were afraid that if the United States remained as one nation, it would attain economic and financial independence, which would upset their financial domination over the world.

Answer 3

This question is quite subjective as it mentions "Europe". The fact is that in all types of international politics, reasons for acting or not acting can be numerous and complicated. The bottom line is that the main nations in question here are France and Great Britain. These nations did not believe it would be in their self interest to recognize the Confederate States of America. Should the Union prevail, then a modern, somewhat powerful United States, would now be their enemy in terms of trade and other things. What France and Britain did do was help supply the South ( unofficially ) with weapons and warships. With a Union victory, their excuse would be, this type of aid was made through private parties, not with the blessing of the governments of these two powerful powers. Should, however, the South succeed in becoming independent, trade and other factors would smooth over any bad feelings concerning the fact that the South was not formally recognized. What indeed happened was that Britain & France gained financially with their unofficial aid, and gained diplomatically with non recognition, with the US. Now, with that said, France's position in Mexico was hurt with the Union victory.