Victoria Regina America’s Ally 7 May 2008 Mike Eggleston HIS 102

1. Victoria Regina America’s Ally 7 May 2008 Mike Eggleston HIS 102

2. How did Queen Victoria influence US – British relations during her reign?

3. Thesis Queen Victoria of Great Britain was a life-long friend of the U.S. as evidenced by her support of the U.S. government during crises that could have led to war between the U.S. and Great Britain. Her support of the U.S., especially during the Civil War, made her a friend of U.S. presidents. 3

4. The Reign of Victoria • Eighteen U.S. presidents served (1837-1901) during her reign. • She ascended the throne as a young girl. • When she ascended the throne, the powers of the British monarch were equal to or greater than the U.S. president.1 • She was the longest reigning monarch in history of Great Britain (1837-1901)

5. Queen Victoria’s Role • It is not always clear how directly involved Victoria was in Great Britain’s dealings with the U.S. • In some cases, she spoke out directly in support of the U.S. • In other cases, members of the Royal family spoke, but they undoubtedly represented her view. The Royal Family Circa 1850

6. U.S. - Great Britain Conflicts During Victoria’s Reignthat Could have Led to War • American-Canadian Boundary Line. • Recognition of the Confederate States. • Queen Victoria and Slavery. • The Confederacy and British shipyards. • The Trent Affair • Venezuela – British Guiana boundary dispute. • Britain and the U.S. War with Spain.

7. American-Canadian Boundary Line • The boundary dispute over the Maine and Canadian boundary was a legacy of the U.S. 1812 War with Great Britain that left ownership of part of Maine unclear. • It led to tensions between U.S. and Canada including mobilization of troops (Aroostock War 1838-1839) and possibility of war between U.S. and Great Britain. • Negotiations between U.S. and Great Britain were opened. • Treaty of 1842 between U.S. and Great Britain established a boundary compromise.2 Daniel Webster – The U.S. Negotiator

8. Recognition of the Confederate States There was “…a universal belief that the Queen in our late Civil War was on the side of freedom…and that she prevented a recognition of the rebel states…and thereby saved the lives of many thousands of our countrymen.” Edwards Pierrepont, American Minister to Great Britain 3 Edwards Pierrepont 1817-1892

9. Victoria and Slavery “With Satisfaction thatthe United States, after terminating successfully the severe Struggle in which they were so long engaged, are wisely repairing the Ravages of Civil War. The abolition of slavery is an event calling forth the cordial Sympathies and Congratulations of this country, which has always been foremost in showing its Abhorrence of an Institution repugnant to every feeling of Justice and Humanity”. Queen Victoria in her speech from the Throne, 1866 4

10. The Confederacy and British Shipyards • The Alabama and other Confederate raiders were built in Great Britain during the U.S. Civil War. • These Confederate raiders attacked U.S. shipping. • Since construction of Confederate ships violated Great Britain’s neutrality, the U.S. filed claims against Great Britain for damage done by the raiders. • International court awarded the U.S. $15,500,000.5 Confederate Raider Alabama

11. The Trent Affair • The British steamer Trent was carrying two Confederate envoys to Britain when it was illegally boarded by the Union warship U.S.S San Jacinto and the two envoys were arrested. • Lord Palmerston, the British Prime Minister, prepared a strongly worded demand to the U.S. that could have led to war. • Queen Victoria reviewed her Consort, Prince Albert’s revision of Palmerston’s draft that allowed Lincoln some room to compromise. Albert’s rewrite was sent and war was averted.6 “ Victoria felt more sympathetic to the cause of the Union than did most members of Palmerston’s ministry. For the rest of her life, she remained an advocate of friendly relations between Britain and the U.S.”7 Crewman from the U.S.S San Jacinto boarding the Trent

12. Venezuela – British Guiana Boundary Dispute • U.S. invoked the Monroe Doctrine when the dispute started. • U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney sent a strongly worded cable to Great Britain over the dispute with no satisfactory reply received (1895). • A U.S. Boundary Commission was proposed by U.S. with threats of war if this solution was not accepted. • The Prince of Wales sent a letter to the U.S. (Joseph Pulitzer) asking him to help find a peaceful solution.8 • Great Britain accepted the U.S. Boundary Commission and a compromise was achieved between Venezuela and Great Britain. Richard Olney - U.S. Secretary of State

13. Britain and the U.S. War with Spain • When the Spanish - American War started in 1898, the Queen Regent of Spain, Victoria’s niece, asked for Great Britain’s support of Spain. • Queen Victoria did not support Maria Cristina’s request. “…Britain is the only European Country not openly against us”. John C. Hay U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain 9 Queen Regent of Spain, Maria Cristina

14. U.S. View of Victoria • Because of her friendship with the U.S., Victoria was greatly respected and upon visits of members of the Royal family to the U.S., they were feted.10 • The night of her death in 1901, President McKinley cabled Great Britain and the U.S. Newspapers read:American TRIBUTE TO QUEEN VICTORIA; President McKinley Cables Condolences to the New King. WASHINGTON FLAGS LOWERED. Such a Mark of Respect Had Never Been Paid on the Death of a Monarch.11

15. Endnotes 1Walter L. Arnstein, Queen Victoria (New York: Palgrave MacMillian, 2003), 35. 2 “The Border Dispute” http://www.upperstjohn.com/history/northeastborder.htm, 1. 3 Arnstein, 122. 4 Hansard’s Parlimentary Debates, 3rd Series, 181:22 5 Mark M. Boatner, The Civil War Dictionary. (New York: Vintage Books, 1959), 4. 6 Dorothy Marshall. The Life and Times of Victoria (New York: Welcome Rain, 1972), 153-154. 7 Arnstein, 107. 8 Ibid, 189. 9 Ibid, 189. 10 David Duff, Victoria and Albert (New York: Taplinger Publishing Company, 1972), 234. 11 The New York Times, January 22, 1901.

16. Bibliography Books Arnstein, Walter L. Queen Victoria. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2003. Boatner, Mark M. The Civil War Dictionary. New York: Vintage Books, 1959 De-la-Noy, Michael. Queen Victoria at Home. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2003. Duff, David. Victoria and Albert. New York: Taplinger Publishing Company, 1972. Hibbert, Christopher. Queen Victoria. New York: Basic Books, 2000. Marshall, Dorothy. The Life and Times of Victoria. New York: Welcome Rain, 1972. Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization, Volume II. United States: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2006. Strachey, Lytton. Queen Victoria. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc, 1921. Woodham-Smith, Cecil. Queen Victoria. New York: Dell Publishing Company, 1974. Articles The New York Times, January 22, 1901. Documents Hansard’s Parlimentary Debates, 3rd Series, 181:22 "Kings and Queens of the United Kingdom." http://royal.gov.uk/output/page 128.asp. 2006. "PBS: Empires: Queen Victoria's Empire." http://www.pbs.org/empires/victoria. 2008. "Spartacus Educational." http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.uk/prvictoria.htm. 2008. “The Border Dispute” http://www.upperstjohn.com/history/northeastborder.htm  "Victoria Station." http://www.victoriastation.com/queen.html. 2008.