On The Unions Reverse Of Freedom Of The Seas During The American Civil War

After the Independent War, America announced its permanent neutral status, which was based on its historical experience and business interests, hold its position of neutrality, and advocated its principle of “Freedom of the seas” to the world. With the Civil War broke out, American’s neutral identity in the world was changed fundamentally, nevertheless, the Federal Union is at the edge of danger. It was due to the internal and external changes that urges the federal government deviate from its original principle. The principle includes four aspects. Initially, the Federal government announces and implements the effective blockade superficially. With the efforts of domestic and diplomatic policy, America won the recognition in the world; however, the practice of the principle was totally broken by itself. Next, the resolution of “Trent Affair” enables the federal government to slam the door for the neutral rights that maintained for a long period of time. Moreover, the action of blockade the neutral ports took a great step or the Federal government to extend her belligerent right during the war. Finally, the “starvation blockade” and imprisoned foreigners show American’s determination for winning the war but ignored the humanism in those actions.However, these actions let federal government fall into the dispute of idealism and realism’s conflict. On the left hand, the Lincoln government carries the principle of “Freedom of the Seas”; on the right hand, she has to take some actions which give that principle huge damages that cannot be ignored, for containing the uppermost interests of her. That make the Federal government took a stand on a passive position in handing with relevant disputes, while won the Civil War for her.