The Research On The Diplomatic Activities Of James Mason And John Slidell In Britain And France During The American Civil War(1862-1864)

After the American Revolution,there were two kinds of institutions in the United States: the one was the North Capitalist System,the other was the South Plantation Slavery.The contradiction between the two systems resulted in that the Southern States seceded from the Union and established The Confederate States of America(Southern Confederacy for short).Since it’s establishment,Southern Confederacy had been actively striving for the support of European countries,especially Britain and France.In October 1861,after the failure of the William Yancey Mission,Southern Confederacy sent James Mason to Britain and John Slidell to France,their mission was to win the recognition and assistance from Britain and France.Mason and Slidell were engaged in diplomatic activities in Britain and France respectively,and they attempted to persuade the two governments to recognize the independence of the Confederacy.However,as a result of the Lincoln Government’s anti-interference diplomacy and the mistakes of the diplomatic strategy of the Confederate Government,the mission of Mason and Slidell ended in failure.This paper mainly introduces the backgrounds,process,effects and the causes of failure of Mason and Slidell’s mission.This paper consists of six parts and it is about a total of five chapters.The preface of it mainly discusses the reason and significance of writing this paper and domestic and overseas research summary.The first chapter mainly introduces the backgrounds of Mason and Slidell went to Britain and France as two Confederate Ambassadors.Since its establishment,Southern Confederacy had been actively striving for the support of European countries,especially for Britain and France.Before the outbreak of the Civil War,Confederate Government sent Yancey Mission to Europe,their goal was to realize the recognition of the Britain and France.Moreover,the Confederate Government adhered to the cotton as a bargaining chip to carry out "Cotton King" Diplomacy.Unfortunately for the Confederacy,the Yancey Mission and the "Cotton King" Diplomacy ended in failure.As a result,Confederate Government decided to sendJames Mason and John Slidell to Europe to complete the unfinished cause of the Yancey Mission.The second chapter mainly introduces the Trent Affair.The Trent Affair was an episode in the journey of Mason and Slidell went to Europe.Federal captain Wilkes took away Mason and Slidell from the British ship "Trent",which annoyed the British government.There was a tension between the British Government and the Lincoln Government.It was a very good diplomatic opportunity for the Confederate Government.But unfortunately for the Confederate,under the mediation of Seward,who was the Under Secretary of the United States,the Trent Affair finally ended peacefully.The third chapter mainly introduces the first stage of diplomatic activities of Mason and Slidell.This stage is about attacking Federal blockade,which includes Slidell encouraged Napoleon Ш to attack the Federal blockade,and the activities of Mason with the Confederate lobby,as well as the Lindsay’s diplomatic activities in Paris.However,this series of diplomatic activities have not achieved any effect.The fourth chapter mainly discusses the activities of Mason and Slidell which mainly about persuading the British and French governments to intervene in the American Civil War,and this chapter consists of four parts.The first part introduces the mediation proposal of Russell,the second part is about the Slidell’s diplomatic activities on Mexico issue,the third part discusses the breaking of the Confederacy’s relations with Britain,and the last part mainly introduces the diplomatic activities of Mason and Slidell after 1863.The fifth chapter aims to evaluate the diplomatic activities of Mason and Slidell.Without the recognition of European countries,the Confederacy failed in military affairs and foreign affairs.However,they have helped to bring about the Erlanger loan between the Confederacy and France,which temporarily relieved the economic difficulties of the Confederacy.Admitting the Confederacy didn’t meet the interests of Britain and France,which is the fundamental cause of the failure of their mission.