There's a fairly extensive historical debate over whether the English textile workers were on balance a more pro-Union (being anti-slavery) or pro-Confederate (being restive over idled factories) factor, But a significant number of workers took this stance.https://twitter.com/EnglishRadical/status/1189978616802816001 …
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The historical debate is as much about what British politicians *believed* the workers wanted as what they actually wanted. Palmerston & Russell were more than a little concerned about labor agitation if King Cotton imposed enough economic pain on the textile industry.
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The Confederacy also hugely overestimated its economic leverage. The Union, as a major wheat supplier, had leverage, too; maybe more. And there were eager substitute cotton growers, especially in Egypt. Confederates ended up needing the cash more than the UK needed the cotton.
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Replying to @baseballcrank
That was some CW history and perspective I didn't know. Thank you.
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