The entry into the war of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland or of France in favor of the Confederation would have greatly increased the chances of the South to gain independence from the Union. This, under the control of Lincoln and Secretary of State William Henry Seward, worked to prevent European powers from getting involved. He threatened that if they recognized the Confederation, this would amount to a declaration of war. Neither the United Kingdom nor France came to recognize the Confederate government as legitimate.
Charles Francis Adams, American ambassador to London, displayed intense activity to prevent the British government from abandoning its neutrality, so the United Kingdom was reluctant to challenge the blockade to which the Confederate ports were being subjected. The Confederation bought several warships in British shipyards.
