Trent Affair

Dublin Core

Title

Trent Affair

Description

            Although the “Trent Affair” did not directly involve Russia, the affair demonstrated the need for the United States to bolster its diplomatic presence against British and French interests. In November 1861, the British government reacted angrily to news that an American ship had intercepted the British ship Trent. An American warship stopped the Trent, in international waters, in order to intercept “John Slidell and James Mason, Confederate emissaries to Paris and London, respectively.”[1] Britain demanded recompense for what it considered an illegal seizure of a British ship, and ultimately the United States released Slidell and Mason on the basis that “one war at a time” was a prudent measure.[2] Even with the peaceful resolution, the incident highlighted the extent of Confederate efforts to sway European powers and the less-than-favorable position that the United States held in British opinion.

            Since the Russian government had already extended its first words of support by 1861, Russia was certainly pleased to see the United States avoid open war with Britain. The Russian minister to the United States passed along a note of congratulations and reassurance “of the cordial sympathy which united the two countries.”[3] To emphasize this point on the world stage, the Russian government likewise sought permission from Cassius Clay to “have [the congratulations] printed in the Journal de St Petersbourg in order that it might exercise a favorable influence on European opinion.”[4] In going to such public lengths to emphasize Russo-American friendship, the Russian government gave its reassurance that it supported the United States against British and French enmity.



[1] Albert A. Woldman. Lincoln and the Russians. (Cleveland: World Publishing Company, 1952), 92.

[2] Ibid, 93.

[3] Benjamin Platt Thomas, Russo-American Relations, 1815-1867. (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1930), 126.

[4] Ibid.

Creator

Samuel Coffin

Source

Benjamin Platt Thomas, Russo-American Relations, 1815-1867. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1930.

Albert A. Woldman. Lincoln and the Russians. Cleveland: World Publishing Company, 1952.

Date

November 1861

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