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The British and French were both friendly towards the Confederates for different reasons, and the British came close to supporting them. If they had, the French were likely to follow.

In the case of the British, they were not at all displeased to see the young American republic split into two, as it was starting to affect their supremacy in world trade.

In the case of the French, they were seeking influence in Mexico, and it would suit them well if there was a new nation, pro-French, in-between Mexico and th USA.

For these reasons, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, to turn the Civil War into a war on slavery, so that any nation intervening on the side of the Confederates would look pro-slavery.

As Britain and France had both abolished slavery in all their worldwide possessions, they would now have to stay out of the Civil War.

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15y ago

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