France and the American Civil War

“American scholars will find a different perspective on the Civil War’s international effects as told from the viewpoint of one of the outside powers whose approach was more complex than they may have previously believed.”—America’s Civil War

“Explores in considerable detail the intentions and actions of multiple diplomatic officials, especially foreign ministers.”—CHOICE

“A marvelous book that contains fascinating analysis about French diplomacy during the U.S. Civil War. . . . This is a volume that will appeal to anyone interested in diplomacy and foreign relations during this period.”—Civil War Monitor

“Provides a much-needed counterpoint to the prevailing view that French diplomacy during the American Civil War had an influence clearly secondary to Britain’s and looked to its neighbor across the channel to lead the way on U.S.-Confederate policy matters. . . . Highly original, nuanced, and deeply persuasive.”—Civil War Books and Authors

“A concise, readable, and informative monograph. . . . [Sainlaude’s] work provides a useful look at the diplomacy that secured the Union victory and began the shaping of a newly modern world.”—“The Journal of Americas Military Past”

“With this deeply researched book, Stí¨ve Sainlaude sets out to rewrite the history of Franco-American relations from within the internal machinations of French policy makers. . . . The result is a clear approach to the manifold dimensions of French diplomacy. . . [that] deserves serious attention for bringing the Second French Empire back into the narrative of Civil War relations and for doing so in such a clear-sighted fashion.”—Journal of Southern History

“This well researched, well written, and thought provoking work is indispensable to anyone studying the Civil War. Other writers have dealt with France’s involvement in the North-South conflict, but no one before Sainlaude had mined the rich collection of French consular files in combination with the standard primary and secondary sources to produce such a remarkably clear and convincing story of the fanciful dreams of one of the most conniving opportunists of the nineteenth century—Napoléon III.”— H-Diplo Roundtable

“France and the American Civil War provides an outstanding example of . . . good diplomatic history.” — Journal of Modern History

“Stève Sainlaude’s France and the American Civil War will be of incredible value to American historians of this era. Using primarily French diplomatic records, such as official political, consular, and commercial correspondence housed at the Centre des archives diplomatiques de la Courneuve, the author weaves a balanced narrative, brings fresh perspectives, and challenges old assumptions of the Civil War’s place in hemispheric and world affairs.”—Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association

“Sainlaude’s impressive scholarship will challenge diplomatic historians to rethink the scholarly consensus concerning France’s role in our nation’s bloodiest conflict.”—The Journal of the Civil War Era