Synthesized answer
Based solely on the provided passages, the chain of events begins with the secession of the Southern States and the start of hostilities, and ends with legal advice for the detention of the "Alabama." The passages do not explain how each event created the conditions for the next in terms of international relations and wartime economics, but they do provide the sequence.
The chain starts with the Southern States seceding and setting up a separate government, followed by the capture of Fort Sumter on April 13, 1861 [2]. President Lincoln then declared a blockade of southern ports on April 19 [1][2]. In response, the British government issued a proclamation of neutrality on May 14, recognizing the Confederates as belligerents, a move followed by France and other nations [1]. This recognition, combined with the ineffective blockade, allowed blockade-running to become an active industry, and the Confederates established agencies in England to purchase arms [1].
This led to the building of the "Alabama" (originally "No. 290") by Messrs. Laird at Birkenhead in June 1862 [1]. On June 23, the U.S. consul's letter about the vessel was laid before the law officers, who advised that if the…
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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…
← 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…
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…
was laid before the law officers, who advised that, if these particulars were correct, the vessel ought to be detained. On the 21st of July sworn evidence, which was supplemented on the 23rd of July, was obtained and laid before the commissioners of customs (who were the proper authorities to enforce the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1819), but they declined to move. On the 23rd of July the same evidence was laid before the law officers, who advised that there was sufficient ground for detention. By some accident, which has never been satisfactorily explained, but was probably…
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
- Describe, in your own words, the central dispute that led to the "Alabama" Arbitration, explaining the roles and motivations of the United States, the Confederate States, and Great Britain.
- The British government's proclamation of neutrality recognized the Confederates as "belligerents." How did this seemingly impartial action contribute directly to the "pecuniary claims" and the controversy surrounding the "Alabama" vessel?
- The text states the "Alabama" Arbitration 'affords a conspicuous example of the value of arbitration as a means of averting war.' Based *only* on the provided excerpt, what specific elements or developments in the narrative suggest how this arbitration (or the need for it) helped prevent a larger conflict?
- Considering the information available to British authorities in June-July 1862 regarding "No. 290" (the "Alabama"), what was the legal or ethical dilemma they faced, and what were the potential implications of their decision regarding its detention?