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By 1861, the British saw America as an economic rival, and were not at all displeased to see it divided.

The British government took a keen interest in the fortunes of the Confederates, and planned to send military aid as soon as they had established credibility by making a successful invasion of the North. When Lee started to invade Maryland after a string of victories, The British felt that the moment was near.

Lincoln was extremely worried about this prospect, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, in order to turn the war into a crusade against slavery (which it hadn't been at the start), making it politically impossible for the British, who had long since abolished slavery, to look as though they were fighting for slavery.

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14y ago

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