Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 333 Turning point
"Your Majesty, the evil Washington government has deceived France. Louisiana was supposed to be sold for 80 billion francs, but in the end it was sold for only one percent of that price. This is a loss for Your Majesty."

Confederate diplomats traveled through Mexico, enduring great hardship to reach Paris. They told Napoleon III that France had been deceived by the United States, and emphasized that Napoleon III, as Emperor of France, had a responsibility to rectify this historical loss for France.

A complex light flickered in Napoleon III's eyes. The old issue of the Louisiana Purchase had been brought up again, not only as a historical matter but also as a real political bargaining chip.

The American ambassador approached him twice, clarifying that the land purchase was agreed upon by both governments and there was nothing wrong with it. However, Napoleon III didn't see it that way. He believed his uncle was selling Louisiana because he was facing attacks from all sides in Europe and was discussing it with the United States to avoid such a situation. The US kept delaying, only acting when France was forced to, ultimately securing $1500 million.

Napoleon III had always wanted to expand his influence from the Americas, and now was the perfect opportunity. The Confederate States of America had come to him, requesting the recapture of Louisiana—wasn't this exactly what he was looking for?

More importantly, France also needed cotton. The cotton textile industry was a vital part of the French economy, and Napoleon III, who prioritized domestic economic development, naturally could not ignore this issue.

France recognized the Confederate States of America, and other countries followed suit. On December 28, Spain recognized the Confederate States of America; on December 31, Austria recognized it; and on January 1, Britain and Prussia recognized it.

Europe's recognition of the Confederate States of America was a major blow to the Northern government. The Confederates' enhanced international standing increased the military pressure on the Union. The Union army's repeated defeats on the Eastern Front and Mexico's entry into the war further complicated the situation.

The Northern government lodged a strong protest with European countries through diplomatic channels, demanding that they withdraw their recognition of the Confederate States of America. However, to no avail.

After formal recognition, the Confederate States of America could legitimately borrow money and purchase arms from European countries. They then used customs duties as collateral to secure a $100 million loan from Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. This loan was then used to purchase European arms and warships.

Having received resupply, Robert E. Lee led his army toward Washington, leaving Lincoln with no choice but to withdraw from the capital and head to Philadelphia. He then fled with Congress, the courts, and the government.

This move shocked the North once again, with Democratic lawmakers demanding the impeachment of the government. The New York Stock Exchange was in an uproar, with stocks plummeting and investors selling off their shares and bonds. The news of the capital relocation completely shattered market confidence, plunging the North's economy into a severe crisis. No one had expected the capital to be moved so soon.

The general public was extremely disappointed and panicked by the government's decision to relocate the capital. Many began to question the legitimacy of the war, and some even believed that the Northern Federation was beyond saving.

At the same time, ethnic issues within the United States also erupted. Because the United States is a nation of immigrants, most ethnic groups within the country are categorized by their country of origin, such as Irish and German. They occupy the lower rungs of society and frequently face political discrimination.

Those who control the upper echelons of society leave no room for advancement. Immigrants often have to put in several times the effort to achieve the same results. Given this, why should anyone work for the federal government?

An anti-war movement erupted; in Ohio, protesters attacked train stations and disrupted the transport of supplies. They chanted slogans like "We don't fight for the rich" and demanded the government stop the war. The anti-war movement among immigrant communities further exacerbated social divisions within the Union. Violent clashes broke out in many cities, requiring police and military intervention to maintain order.

The anti-war movement spread across the Northern states, with many beginning to question the legitimacy of the war. They argued that the war had lost its meaning and that its continuation would only bring more suffering and loss. Some political leaders in New York proposed secession from the Union, believing the federal government was no longer able to protect their interests. This proposal gained support among some citizens, especially against the backdrop of economic collapse and social unrest. Other states also began discussing whether they should secede from the Union. The unity of the Northern Union faced an unprecedented challenge.

"Send people to communicate with the western state governments. We must ensure the supply of troops no matter what. The federal government is at its most critical moment. If the federal government is defeated due to insufficient troops, no one will have a good time."

Clearly, Lincoln was addressing those who were trying to sabotage the project. He was implying that they shouldn't go too far and should consider the bigger picture while targeting competitors.

If the federal government loses the war, the South will lose all its cheap raw materials and markets. Without these, no one will have a good life in the end.

Secretary of State Seward delivered another piece of bad news to the president: if troops couldn't be sent, Illinois and Indiana would have to negotiate a ceasefire with the South separately. After all, it was a civil war; there was no question of extermination. If they simply announced their withdrawal from the war, the South would cease its attacks.

However, this would cripple the federal government. Now, if even one person takes the lead, it could easily trigger a chain reaction.

"Secretary of State, I am the president, and I have a duty to maintain the unity of the country. But some people don't want to do that."

The Residential Land Act has been enacted, so why is its effectiveness gradually diminishing?

Of course not. We're already on the verge of failure, so who knows if we'll ever get it? We should go somewhere else. I've heard Mexico is nice, let's check it out.

"In addition, the governors of states such as Maine secretly met with British envoys to seek accession to Upper Canada."

Lincoln couldn't take it anymore. He went over and tore all the documents to shreds, muttering "traitors" as he did so. Maine's actions completely shattered Lincoln's last shred of patience. He realized that the Union was facing not only a military threat from the Confederacy but also an internal crisis of division.

The president could not accept the betrayal of some governors and political leaders. He believed that their actions were not only a betrayal of the Union, but also a betrayal of freedom and democracy.

The outbreak of war caused the number of immigrants to the United States to plummet to 15000 in 1861, with the rest emigrating to countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. These countries were incredibly grateful to the Confederate States of America; had it not been for the war, they probably wouldn't have accepted so many immigrants.

Soon, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia recognized the Confederate States of America. The North's situation became even more difficult. At this rate, peace talks were the only option.

(End of this chapter)