Foreign war does not necessarily reunite opponents once a civil war has begun. China and Greece provide comparisons for internal and external wars continuing together. In this interpretation, Seward's proposed confrontation with Britain and France was a desperate effort to preserve American unity. He hoped to repeat the unifying effects he associated with the War of Independence and War of 1812. Lincoln rejected a policy that could add two powerful enemies to the Union's existing war. Seward could be a capable Secretary of State while still pursuing a damaging proposal in the Civil War's early months.
Notable Point · 2:26:24-2:30:05
Seward and reunification through foreign war
An external enemy could add another war without reconciling a country already divided.