Talk:France and the American Civil War

France Never Officially Recognized the Confederacy, and Neutrality During the War
The following 2 sections were removed from this article:

1) "Despite Napoleon III's territorial ambitions in Mexico, the French government never recognized the Confederacy and remained officially neutral throughout the conflict."

Can anyone tell me why this was removed? Neither France nor England ever recognized the Confederacy. This is a fact. Does anyone have any source that shows that shows otherwise - that Napoleon III officially recognized the Confederate States of America as a nation? If so, show us. If not, this information should be included in this article and I will put it back in.

2) "In keeping with its official neutrality, the French government blocked the sale of the ironclad CSS Stonewall prior to delivery to the Confederacy in February 1864 and resold this ship to the Royal Danish Navy as the Stærkodder. The ship left Bordeaux on its shakedown cruise with a Danish crew in June 1864. However, the Danish refused to accept the ship due to price disagrements with the shipbuilder L'Arman and L'arman subsequently secretly resold the ship by January 1865 to the Confederacy while still at sea."

This information is true, has credible sources cited, and is definitely relevant to this article because sales of major weapon systems (such as ships) are always major issues in wartime international relations - which is what exactly the topic of this article (French and US interactions and relations during the American Civil War). Does anyone have a legitimate reason for this section's removal? If so, please speak up.


 * Because 1) repeated information in the article, if you read it closely enough. 2) should probably go back in. --MacRusgail (talk) 11:14, 29 April 2010 (UTC)

- OK. I will put 2) back in. About 1), the article (as currently worded) says that France "hesitated between a neutral attitude, a mediation or recognition of the Confederate States of America." This means that the article says that France was neutral at some times and recognized the Confederacy at other times - which is definitely not true. This oscillation between neutrality and recognition is not the same as stating that France never recognized the Confederacy and was officially neutral throughout the war (which is what actually happened, in spite of Napoleon's ambitions in Mexico and elsewhere).

Also, France's position in this war was very similar to that of Great Britain (maintaining a cautious official neutrality and withholding diplomatic recognition of the Confederacy despite some British and French individuals and groups having interests that could favor the Confederacy). The "Britain in the American Civil War" wikiarticle correctly opens with the following sentence: "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was officially neutral in the American Civil War." Why not the same with this article? It's equally true for both countries. As always, constructive comments are welcome. Thanks.

Move discussion in progress
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Literal?
Emperor Napoleon III was interested in Central America for trade and plans of a transoceanic canal.
 * Don't you mean 'cable'? Valetude (talk) 13:35, 13 October 2018 (UTC)

Pics
Two of your three pictures do not relate to anything in the article. Valetude (talk) 00:11, 15 December 2018 (UTC)