1. Going into the War: The different contexts we need to consider
Political
Millitary
Economic & Financial
Foreign Relations
Geographic
Describe
The issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relation that each sides faced
Explain
The positive and negative impact of the issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relations
Evaluate
How far these factors impacted the Confederacy and Union

2. Foreign Relations Why might a country like Britain
want to support either the
Union or the Confederates?
Describe
The issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relation that each sides faced
Explain
The positive and negative impact of the issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relations
Evaluate
How far these factors impacted the Confederacy and Union

3. Add anything you have missed in green pen
Reasons to support the Confederacy
Reasons to support the Union
 Break up of America would serve Britain’s immediate and long term self interest
An independent Confederacy would lead to strong economic links (cotton -> manufactured)
Britain needed cotton to prevent hardship
Britons sympathise with Confederacy
4 slave states in the Union suggested slavery wasn’t an issue = easier to support the Confederacy e.g. The Times
Conflict with the Union could lead to the loss of Canada
Would lead to loss of valuable markets and investments
British opinion was not united (slavery)
Crimean War had indicated difficulties of fighting far away from home
What Britain did
Stay neutral
Problem 1: Does England recognise the Confederacy? (or a rebellion?) – Lincoln’s blockade
May 1861 Compromise position: belligerent states (legally as waging war)
Attempt to remain neutral throughout…
Describe
The issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relation that each sides faced
Explain
The positive and negative impact of the issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relations
Evaluate
How far these factors impacted the Confederacy and Union

4. CHALLENGE: Explain why Britain did not intervene in the war
The British Situation
The British situation
Cotton
Embargo
Pg. 136
Attempts to persuade Britain Pg. 136
Trent affair Pg. 137
British mediation? Pg. 138
Commerce raiders Pg. 138
Laird rams Pg. 139
TASK 1: Complete the mind map by finding out information on each of the following sections
CHALLENGE: Explain why Britain did not intervene in the war
Describe
The issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relation that each sides faced
Explain
The positive and negative impact of the issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relations
Evaluate
How far these factors impacted the Confederacy and Union

5. Let’s wrap it all up! Context summary TASK:
Complete the grid opposite:
1. Decide whether each factor was a Union or Confederate advantage
2. Below the grid, write a paragraph explaining who, overall, had the better context going into the war
Factor
Union Advantage
Confederate Advantage
Leadership
Cabinet
Congress
Opposition
Voluntary Associations
Military Resources
Geography
Finance
Economic
Foreign Relations
Describe
The issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relation that each sides faced
Explain
The positive and negative impact of the issues relating to geography, economy and foreign relations
Evaluate
How far these factors impacted the Confederacy and Union

6. ‘The comparative strength of the two sides in 1861 meant that Union victory was inevitable’ Assess the validity of this view
Next lesson we will be writing a response to the essay question above.
You will be allowed one A4 sheet with a diagram* that covers the following:
Military and Politics
Geography
Economics and Finance
Foreign relations
*Anyone who brings A4 paper with notes written out in teenie tiny handwriting will have their sheet confiscated and do the assessment with no notes