Synthesized answer
The British government's proclamation of neutrality on May 14, 1861, which recognized the Confederates as belligerents, was a pivotal moment. This action was followed by France and other nations [1]. The United States government alleged this recognition as one of two primary grievances against Great Britain that led to the "Alabama" Arbitration [2].
Following the recognition as belligerents, the United States government also cited breaches of neutrality, specifically the allowance of Confederate vessels like the "Alabama" to be built and equipped on British territory [2]. The building of the "Alabama" in Birkenhead was noted as being obviously intended for a man-of-war, and concerns were raised with the British government regarding its character [1]. Correspondence over several years ensued, eventually leading to a commission appointed in February 1871 to settle the issues [2]. The British commissioners then suggested submitting the "Alabama" claims to arbitration [2, 4].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
tes on the 13th of April 1861. On the 19th of April President Abraham Lincoln declared a blockade of the southern ports. On the 14th of May the British government issued a proclamation of neutrality, by which the Confederates were recognized as belligerents. This example was followed shortly afterwards by France and other nations. The blockade of the southern ports was not at first effective, and blockade-running soon became an active industry. The Confederates established agencies in England for the purchase of arms, which they despatched in ordinary merchant vessels to the Bahamas, whence…
rpool in two British ships. Captain Semmes there took command of her under a commission from the Confederate government. After a most destructive career she was sunk off Cherbourg by the “Kearsarge” on the 19th of June 1864. On these facts the United States government alleged against Great Britain two grievances, or sets of grievances. The first was the recognition of the Southern States as belligerents and a general manifestation of unfriendliness in other ways. The second was in respect of breaches of neutrality in allowing the “Alabama,” the “Florida” (originally the “Oreto”, the…
← Alabama 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 "Alabama" Arbitration by Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe Alabama River → See also Alabama Claims on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 244259 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — "Alabama" Arbitration Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe “ALABAMA” ARBITRATION. —This is one of those arbitrations on pecuniary claims, made by one state, on behalf of its subjects, against another state, which are referred to in the article Arbitration, International . The case is important, both from a historical and a juridical point of…
. With respect to the “Alabama” claims the British commissioners suggested that they should be submitted to arbitration. The American commissioners refused “unless the principles which should govern the arbitrators in the consideration of the facts could be first agreed upon.” After some discussion the British commissioners consented that the three following rules should apply.
nfriendly utterances of British politicians and the material assistance afforded to the Confederates by British traders. The inclusion of the indirect losses and the other matters just referred to caused great excitement in England. That they were within the treaty was disputed, and it was argued that, if they were, the treaty should be amended or denounced. In October 1872 Lord Granville notified to General Schenck, the United States minister, that the British government did not consider that the indirect losses were within the submission, and in April the British counter-case was filed…
More questions about this book
- The text suggests the "Alabama" Arbitration highlights "the value of arbitration as a means of averting war." Based *only* on the actions described concerning the vessel's construction and US concerns, how did the potential for arbitration begin to mitigate a direct conflict between the US and Britain?
- From the perspective of a neutral nation like Britain, what specific obligations or challenges arose when the United States presented evidence regarding the "Alabama" being built on British soil for a belligerent power?
- If you were the US Consul in Liverpool, what would be your most compelling argument to Earl Russell for the immediate detention of the "Alabama," and what diplomatic risks might such a request entail for Anglo-American relations?
- How does the detailed description of the "Alabama"'s construction and the subsequent US diplomatic actions illustrate the evolving concept of international neutrality during wartime in the 19th century?