GREAT BRITAIN’S STRATEGY IN FACING THE COTTON EMBARGO FROM THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES DURING AMERICAN CIVIL WAR (1861-1865)

Abstract

Great Britain and its cotton-based production have a long history, especially after the industrial revolution that made it the largest production in the textile industry, leading the economy and dominating the world market. The number of cotton imports also reached a high level due to the rapid growth of the cotton industry, and the Southern United States was its key supplier. Knowing that their cotton can be the power to get help, the South is making a demand for Great Britain, followed by the coercive action that was the cotton embargo. Unfortunately, this unilateral action by the Confederacy or the South of America did not go well as they wanted, which they thought would make Great Britain do the diplomatic interference by the Southern embargo decision to save their textile industry and save their economy, but the truth was that in May 1861, Great Britain preferred their position to be neutral. This study will examine the strategy from the Great Britain to refuse the demand from the Southern United States and remains neutral during the American Civil War despite the cotton embargo from Southern United States. It is expected to be beneficial in understanding how is the strategy from Great Britain in solving this problem during American Civil War.