The Trent episode of late 1861:

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The Trent episode of late 1861 was part of the Confederacy's effort to gain foreign assistance. The Confederate diplomats James Mason and John Slidell were traveling to Europe on the British mail steamer Trent to seek diplomatic recognition and support from Britain and France. However, the Union Navy stopped and boarded the Trent, seizing Mason and Slidell as prisoners. This incident sparked outrage in Britain and France and almost led to a war between the United States and Britain. While the Union eventually released the Confederate diplomats, the incident damaged the United States' relations with Britain and France and made it harder for the Union to prevent foreign aid to the Confederacy.

The Trent Episode of Late 1861