<P> The United Kingdom ( the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ) remained officially neutral throughout the American Civil War ( 1861 -- 1865 ) . It legally recognised the belligerent status of the Confederate States of America ( CSA ) but never recognised it as a nation and neither signed a treaty with it nor exchanged ambassadors . Over 90 percent of Confederate trade with Britain ended , causing a severe shortage of cotton by 1862 . Britain financed blockade runners that sent munitions and luxuries to Confederate ports in return for cotton and tobacco . Top British officials debated offering to mediate in the first 18 months , which the CSA wanted but the U.S. strongly rejected . </P>
<P> The United Kingdom ( the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ) remained officially neutral throughout the American Civil War ( 1861 -- 1865 ) . It legally recognised the belligerent status of the Confederate States of America ( CSA ) but never recognised it as a nation and neither signed a treaty with it nor exchanged ambassadors . Over 90 percent of Confederate trade with Britain ended , causing a severe shortage of cotton by 1862 . Britain financed blockade runners that sent munitions and luxuries to Confederate ports in return for cotton and tobacco . Top British officials debated offering to mediate in the first 18 months , which the CSA wanted but the U.S. strongly rejected . </P>
what caused tension between the union and great britain
what caused tension between the union and great britain
severe shortage of cotton
severe shortage of cotton