Chapter 315: Chapter 2, International Recognition
By the end of 1860, the United States’ population had reached 31.6 million. Among them, the population of the Northern Free States was about 18.7 million, while the Southern Slave States had a population of 12.9 million, of which slaves accounted for 5 million.

The butterfly effect of Franz still played a role, and the power balance between the North and South slightly changed. However, it was not enough to alter the fact that the North was strong and the South weak.

In the Austrian Embassy in Washington, representatives of the Four countries including the UK, France, Austria, and Spain gathered together. Diluc, the Austrian ambassador to the US, was the first to speak, “We have called this meeting today mainly to discuss the issue of the South’s independence.

At such a crucial juncture, it’s necessary for us to stand united in order to better protect our interests.”

It was not known when, but the powers had come to realize the benefits of unity; usually, when they acted in concert, everyone could profit handsomely.

The attendees fell into deep thought, weighing whether the benefits of collaboration were greater than those of individual action.

As for the abolition of slavery, it was not even within their consideration. Despite European countries’ earth-shaking slogans about abolition, in reality, they all were merely onlookers seeking entertainment.

Over the recent years, the United States inflated at a ballooning pace, which caused great concern for many people, with the American threat theory being a hot topic in Europe.

In their effort to attract immigrants, the Americans’ propaganda, under the guidance of those with agendas, became evidence of the American threat.

Due to unchangeable communication systems, the detrimental influence on public opinion was something the U.S. government could not reach. Attempts to steer public opinion backfired, catching them in a compromising position and leaving them in an embarrassing predicament.

Mark Oliver, the British representative, stated, “All four of our countries have substantial trade with the United States, and a stable America aligns more with our interests.

Joint intervention to prevent the outbreak of a civil war in America would be beneficial to world peace and stability.”

The position of the British was not surprising; the Great Britain Empire could not do without the cheap industrial raw materials supplied by the Americans, especially cotton.

Not just the British, but all three countries: France, Austria, and Spain, were major cotton importers. Even with a bountiful cotton harvest in West Africa, Austria could only manage to be barely self-sufficient.

Francisco, the Spanish representative, added, “For the sake of maintaining world peace, a divided United States is necessary.

From 1783 to now, the territory of the United States has expanded from over 800,000 square kilometers to nearly 8 million square kilometers. If left unchecked, it won’t be long before they gradually consume the entire American Continent.

Everyone is an expert on America and should be aware of the potential of this nation. At their rate of development, it won’t take fifty years for them to catch up with Europe and then surpass us with their massive size.

Keep in mind that the combined homeland territory of our four countries doesn’t even equal a third of the United States. They lack almost nothing in resources, so it’s hard to find a way to limit them.

This is our only chance. If we let the United States resolve its internal issues, the future world’s superpower seat is as good as theirs.”

What Francisco said was essentially a repeat of the American threat theory. With the US’s development and recent external expansions, Spain was the largest victim.

Especially since the Americans reached into Cuba, attempting to snatch yet another colony from Spain, this only ignited greater animosity from the Spaniards.

The expansionist activities of the Americans affected everyone except Austria; England and France were similarly harmed. The French were strong-armed into selling the Louisiana area, while the British lost even more territory.

Alfred, the French representative, mocked, “This is alarmism, isn’t it? America becoming a world superpower?”

Diluc, the Austrian representative, chuckled and said, “Who knows? But the development speed of the Americans in recent years is there for all to see, they have been continuously drawing blood from Europe.

Everyone wants to send immigrants to their colonies, but haven’t quite a lot been intercepted by the Americans? Hundreds of thousands of Europeans migrate to America each year, and we all know what that implies, don’t we?

If the Northern Government succeeds, they have the world’s richest resources, the cheapest industrial raw materials, and a vast labor force. They will quickly complete industrialization.

In the goods market, we would have another competitor. It may not be long before the American region is flooded with American-made products.

Capital has no borders, and perhaps many capitalists are already considering relocating to America. If these people also move here, our technological advantage will no longer exist.

Keep in mind, they also control our industrial raw materials, such as— cotton.

Even if we found new sources of raw materials, it would be difficult to beat the production costs in America, so it makes sense for capitalists to build factories in America.”

Diluc’s words obviously had an underlying message, as all present belonged to the ruling class of their countries and represented vested interests, and no one wanted to see their country’s interests harmed.

Mark Oliver’s face changed color; he was certain that if he did nothing this time, upon returning home, he would face retribution from domestic capitalists.

Capitalists migrating to America? This was really only a privilege for large capitalists and conglomerates. For small and medium capitalists to move to an unfamiliar land and not be completely devoured was already a stroke of luck.

True capital without borders could only be realized once order was established and everyone began to be more circumspect in their dealings.

Diluc’s intent was to remind everyone to keep their priorities straight and not to be swayed politically by money from the Northern Government.

Having calmed himself, Mark Oliver cheerfully said, “America is indeed a bit too powerful. It would be better to weaken it a bit.

I remember that the United States’ Declaration of Independence grants the Federal States the right to secede. Now that 7 states in the South have already declared independence, let us recognize their status then!”

This was the deadly blow. Once the European nations recognized the independence of the Southern Government, the Civil War would no longer be an internal conflict in the United States but a war between two independent nations.

Politically, this would be a lethal blow to the Northern Government. Once the Southern Government’s legitimacy was established, excuses for other countries wanting to interfere in the war would become readily available.

If everyone is willing, as long as the Southern Government sends an invitation, everyone can intervene militarily to mediate.

The Northern government’s attempt to pressure European nations to withdraw support for the Southern Government by abolishing slavery as a propaganda tool failed right from the start.

The British made this decision, which also involved the Canadian issue. The constant expansion of the United States had long irked the British. Even after the War of Independence, Anglo-American conflicts had never ceased.

In 1812, the retired President Jefferson boasted, “This year, we shall annex the Canadian Region… and ultimately drive British influence completely out of the American Continent!”

Soon the Americans launched an attack on the Canadian Region, aiming to monopolize the American Continent.

Enraged, John Bull promptly took military action, letting the Americans feel the iron fist of the Great Britain Empire. They soundly defeated the Americans on the battlefield and even set the White House ablaze.

Time is the best weapon, and the British terror gradually faded from American memory. By 1844, the campaign slogan of the eleventh President, James K. Polk, was, “Either hand over Oregon or go to war!”

By this time, the United States was no longer weak and not so easily defeated.

When the London Government weighed the pros and cons, they admitted defeat and gave up the Oregon Area, but the frustration remained.

The British may have swallowed their anger, but they certainly felt the threat of the United States. Capitalists, in pursuit of their own interests, exerted influence over the Congress and eased Anglo-American tensions.

No matter what, the resentment was recorded. Once Mark Oliver discovered the anti-American stance of France and Austria, he immediately decided to give the Americans a sucker punch.

The French representative, Alfred, objected, “Direct interference in American internal affairs isn’t good, is it? The European public opinion supports the abolition of slavery, and our actions could easily cause trouble.”

Interests determine stance, and the French had little at stake in North America; naturally, they wouldn’t mind the growth of the United States. After all, it would primarily trouble the British.

The Austrian representative, Diluc, explained righteously, “This is a minor issue. The Southern Government can also abolish slavery; for now, they are protecting the sanctity of private property.

Withdrawing from the United States is completely legal. The U.S. Constitution does not prohibit states from leaving; we must honor the spirit of the contract!

Put plainly, the root of the North-South conflict is the tariff issue. The Northern government’s advocacy for higher tariffs has already severely damaged the principle of trade fairness!”

Fairness in trade is false, but the damage to everyone’s interests is real. Once the Americans raise tariffs, everyone not only loses a source of cheap raw materials but also loses a market for their goods.

Even the French, who supported causing trouble for the British, had to acknowledge that the Northern government’s actions were damaging their interests.

This is why the French government’s policy toward America frequently changed internally. Often, they themselves didn’t know what would be best to do.

Incredulously, the French representative, Alfred, asked, “Is Your Excellency joking? Will the Southern Government really abolish slavery?”

With the Northern government’s propaganda, many people saw the Southern Government as evil slave traders. Plantation owners had always profited from exploiting slaves; how could they possibly give up such a source of wealth?

Confidently, Diluc answered, “Nothing is impossible. Plantation owners can learn from capitalists’ management models.

In this world, there are plenty of greedy capitalists who pay meager salaries, or even none at all, right?

Nominally, they’ve granted slaves freedom, but the salaries they pay are just enough for these individuals to survive.

If they are old or sick, they are driven out to fend for themselves. Would transforming the system truly increase costs?

What plantation owners fear is that once slaves gain their freedom, they will leave. This issue can be resolved with employment contracts.”

Diluc spoke of the social reality of the era, which was the same in all European nations. In name, they abolished serfdom, but the living conditions of the lower classes hardly improved.

On the surface, becoming workers and receiving salaries meant an improved standard of living. In reality, it was gained through increased labor.

During economic crises, workers could lose their jobs instantaneously. If a worker became ill and sought treatment, it could lead to family ruin, without any safety net.

Mark Oliver concurred, “Indeed, from a cost perspective, changing work models is also a good choice. With so many American labor export companies, plantation owners won’t lack labor force.

As leaders of the civilized world, we have the duty to help the Southern Government gradually abolish the evil slave system and join the family of civilized society.”

With the slave issue resolved, the French representative no longer objected. Whether or not the Southern Government abolished slavery wasn’t important; all they needed to do was show a gesture toward abolition.

The Spanish representative proposed, “To abolish the evil slave system quickly, for the peace and stability of the world, we must now persuade more Slave States to join the Southern Government.”

What was merely a means to balance the power between the North and the South became noble in the words of politicians.

Whether the Southern Government would accept the gesture was not a concern—they simply had to accept.

It was just a political gesture, not immediate action. A mere show could earn international recognition; who would have the courage to refuse?

French representative Alfred commented, “This is a good suggestion. France is willing to help these slaves gain freedom.”

…

On February 11, 1861, disregarding the opposition of the Northern Government, the Four countries including the UK, France, Austria and Spain released a joint diplomatic statement, recognizing the independence of the Southern Government and establishing official diplomatic relations.