what was the trent affair and how was it settled?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trent_Affair
The Trent Affair refers to a diplomatic incident that occurred during the American Civil War. It involved the seizure of a British mail steamer called the RMS Trent by the American Navy. To understand the incident and settlement, we can follow these steps:
1. Background: In November 1861, the Confederates sent two diplomatic envoys, James Mason and John Slidell, to Europe to seek support for their cause. The envoys boarded the British mail steamer Trent in Havana, Cuba, with the intention of traveling to Europe.
2. American seizure: On November 8, the USS San Jacinto intercepted the Trent off the coast of Cuba and seized the envoys as contraband of war, claiming that they were effectively aiding the Confederate cause. The seizure caused an international uproar, particularly in Britain.
3. British reaction: The British government saw the Trent's seizure as a violation of international law and an attack on British sovereignty. They demanded the immediate release of the envoys and issued a strong ultimatum to the United States.
4. Negotiations and settlement: Realizing the potential for conflict, both sides sought a peaceful resolution. The United States eventually acknowledged that the seizure was unlawful, and President Abraham Lincoln ordered the release of Mason and Slidell on December 26, 1861.
5. Settlement and aftermath: While the crisis was settled peacefully, it created a tense and precarious situation between the United States and Great Britain during the Civil War. The resolution of the Trent Affair helped avert a potential military conflict between the two nations.
To sum up, the Trent Affair refers to the seizure of the British mail steamer Trent by American forces during the American Civil War. It was settled through negotiations, with the United States releasing the captured Confederate envoys in order to avoid escalating tensions with Britain.