At the beginning of the war, the Confederate government eagerly anticipated European assistance. France and England viewed the war with keen interest due to the large amount of cotton both countries imported from Southern plantations. In addition, ruling classes from both world powers hoped the war would weaken American business interests since the United States had emerged as a viable competitor in the world market. On 13 May 1861 England raised the Confederacy's hopes by proclaiming its neutrality in the conflict following Lincoln's decision to blockade the Southern coastline. The neutrality declaration did not grant recognition to the seceded states as an independent nation. It did, however, identify the Confederacy as a legitimate and equal belligerent, ignoring Union claims that the conflict merely represented a domestic insurrection. For the Confederacy, England's declaration meant that it was one step away from acknowledging Southern independence...