View single post by Widow
 Posted: Wed Oct 8th, 2008 04:50 pm
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Widow
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Joined: Tue Sep 19th, 2006
Location: Oakton, Fairfax County, VA
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Mana: 
 I can't give you any resources for your research, but, as usual, I have lots of undocumentable opinions.  Here goes.

Napoleon III may have toyed with the idea of recognizing the CSA, but he never did.  Why?  Because the other two great European powers, Britain and Russia, would not have joined him.  He didn't want to take them on at the same time.

Remember, the Tsar freed the serfs in - when? 1861?.  He couldn't then do a 180 and support the side which still had slaves.

Both Britain and Russia had enormous empires which they struggled to hold together.  It would have gone against their interests to recognize the seceded states.  Imagine the effect in Egypt and Ukraine if the Queen and the Tsar had said, in effect, we think secession is OK.

Patty aka Widow