The segment follows the shift from American enthusiasm to alarm once British resolve became clear. William Seward’s earlier idea that a foreign war might reunite the country looked far less attractive when Britain could cooperate pragmatically with the Confederacy. London began moving nearly 30,000 regular soldiers toward Canada, while Napoleon III supported the British legal position. Britain did not need to endorse slavery or Confederate independence to demand redress for an affront to its flag and communications. The Union ultimately released the envoys and used informal diplomacy, including General Winfield Scott’s presence in Europe, to retreat without issuing the broad public apology Britain might otherwise have demanded.
Chapter · 30:21-37:19
Why Britain forced the Union to reconsider
British troop movements to Canada and the prospect of a wider war made the Union's initial celebration of the seizure increasingly untenable.