Synthesized answer
The "Alabama" Arbitration was a crucial test case for averting war because it dealt with claims arising from Great Britain's declaration of neutrality, which recognized the Confederates as belligerents [3, 5]. The United States government alleged two sets of grievances against Great Britain: the recognition of the Southern States as belligerents and unfriendliness, and breaches of neutrality by allowing Confederate vessels like the "Alabama" to be built and equipped on British territory [1]. The United States also presented claims for damages [5].
The fundamental tension stemmed from the United States' grievances regarding breaches of neutrality [1]. The arbitration was established in February 1871 to reach a common understanding on settling these issues [1]. The British suggested arbitration for the "Alabama" claims, and after initial disagreement on governing principles, the three following rules were agreed upon to apply [2]. The arbitration is highlighted as a conspicuous example of arbitration's value in averting war [5]. The passages do not explicitly state what specific fundamental tension or disagreement, stemming from Great Britain's declaration of neutrality, made the…
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From the book
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…
. 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.
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…
itrators that an extra-judicial declaration should be obtained from the arbitrators on the subject of the direct claims. On the 19th of June Count Sclopis intimated on behalf of all his colleagues that, without intending to express any opinion upon the interpretation of the treaty, they had arrived at the conclusion that “the indirect claims did not constitute upon the principles of international law applicable to such cases a good foundation for an award or computation of damages between nations.” In consequence of this intimation Mr Bancroft Davis informed the tribunal on the 25th of June…
← 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…
More questions about this book
- Beyond simply listing the sequence of events, explain the strategic motivations of both the Confederates and the British shipbuilders in constructing vessels like the "Alabama," and why this activity posed such a significant diplomatic challenge to the Union's efforts.
- The text highlights Britain's proclamation of neutrality but notes the recognition of Confederates as belligerents. How did this specific distinction create a complex legal and diplomatic tightrope for Britain, and how might it have been interpreted differently by the Union versus the Confederacy?
- Imagine you are explaining the initial British legal response to the "Alabama" issue to a peer. Describe the critical information the United States presented, the internal British process for evaluating it, and what the immediate legal advice indicated, based on the provided text.
- Consider the statement that the case is important "from a historical and a juridical point of view." What enduring principles or precedents regarding international law, neutrality, or state responsibility could the "Alabama" Arbitration have established or reinforced, even if only implicitly suggested by this excerpt?