The Trent Disaster (The Trent Disaster)

The Trent Affair occurs and a war erupts as the American Civil War becomes an international spotlight. All events before November 8, 1861 shall remain the same to no further change the timeline of the American Civil War.

1861
November

On the the 8th the USS San Jacinto interceptes the British mail packet Trent and also capture two Confederate diplomats who were trying to convince Europe to recognize the CSA. British and Union diplomats try to work out the problem before tensions spill into war. The Americans were happy of the capture but the Brits were furious. Negotiations went into the next month.

December

As the British built up their army and navy so did the Americans but they were all ready fighting. As for France they sided with America as in a secret correspondence to Lincoln the French leader told him that the French wanted some of Britian's colonial possessions and also to prove its might. The French promise at the least a statue called the "Statue of Liberty". The US agreed to the terms that if France fought on the side of America, America would supply 1/3 of the statue and France 2/3. On Christmas Eve a conference was held between American, Confederate, British, and French diplomats to solve the matter of the past weeks. After hours of screaming, shouting, and yelling American and French diplomats walk out together as do Confederate diplomats and British diplomats as now war is inevitable. Seven days later all diplomats at the conference break the news at the same time on Christmas day to their homelands. On December 28 the British declare war on France and the United States while the CS declares war on the French. The next day France declares war on Britain and the CS while the US declares war on Britian.

1862
Now that Britain is at war with the United States it now plans to retake lost lands from the USA. As for France they immediately begin attacks on British naval ships in the channel and in the Bay of Biscay. The Confederates face a new problem from this, the US though now has to send troops to Canada sends a very irritated George McClellan to occupy Richmond. In March his battalion reaches the outskirts of Richmond and encounters Robert E. Lee. As the battle ensues near Richmond, American forces invade Canada and to their astonishment capture much of Ontario and create an uplink in Quebec for French forces coming from Europe. In mid-April US forces capture Richmond as the government retreats to Atlanta. As for Canada, American forces are halted just outside Ottawa but in Quebec and Western Canada they are advancing deep into the heart of Canada. In July, French forces capture some of British India and also capture all of Northwestern African colonies that Britain controls(Senegal,Gambia,etc.) but the British retain the rest of their Afrrican colonies. As summer approaches the overheated Northerners flee Richmond but secure important reosurces and documents. In Europe the British destroy a major French ship in the English Channel as French deployments to Canada have a significant drop. Russia considers invading Canada to gain more lands for its colonial land of Alaska but know it is too risky and throws the idea off. In September a stalemate arises in the east but fighting begins to heat up in Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indian Territory, New Mexico, and Arizona. As many people call for peace Lincoln considers it but knows that if the South is given idndependence it will lead to horrible treatments of non-whites. He is proven wrong as President Davis offers any master who gives up any amount of slaves to help the war effort the master will be paid reperations for his service and the slave freedom. As the word reaches plantations across the CSA many blacks are given their freedom to fight and suprisingly many white soldiers are ok with this and even those who don't like this live with it. In November the British secure the English Channel after defeating the crown ship of the French Navy. This still does not help their world picture as in India and in Northwestern Africa they are doing horrible but are capturing French Caribbean holdings for payback. In the days before Christmas the Americans create a line of stalemate in the east as they need to stop advances in the west by Confederates. The British then face a deadly situation as the Americans are nearing there major cities in Ontario and Quebec which if captured would destroy morale in Canada among soldiers and civilians.

1863
As France saw a decline in victory against Britain they feared they would suffer without American help as in mid-January the Americans had captured all of Canada west of Ontario. In February the British sign a colonial peace with France saying that France will recieve Eastern India(including the Dutch surrendering their xolonies there along with Portugal because of threats) while Britian keeps Western India. As for the Caribbean it goes that all French possessions there shall go to Britain. As for the rest of the colonies of the two only the British Northwestern African colonies shall go to France. Now the US feels a bit betrayed as does the CS but the French and British promise their allies that the war shall continue but Britain now allows the Americans to take Canada in a secret conference where the British ensure all of Canada going to America or at least all of everything west of the Province of Canada. Meanwhile the CSA fears it will lose this war as on May 7 it sues for peace after losing the Battle of Vicksburg. In the following months the Treaty of Bull Run is discussed. The terms are this:


 * The Confederacy is recognized by the United States, Britain, and France as a soveriegn nation.


 * The territories of Arizona and New Mexico will become vertical(OTL Arizona and New Mexico) and will hold plecibites on whether they will join the CSA or reamin as part of the United States.


 * Missouri, Indian Territory, West Virginia, Maryland, and Kentucky will hold plecibites on their future on whether to join the CSA or remian as part of the USA.


 * The Mississippi River will have its shipping lanes north of Arkansas governed by the US and the rest south will be governed by the CS while the Chesapeake will be governed by the USA.


 * Britain will surrender all of Canada except for Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island which will reamin with Britain.


 * All plecibites will be held on August 1, 1863 and results will be announced on September 1.

The US, CS, Britain, and France agree to this treaty as Britain and France have already signed a treaty there was no need for mention of colonies in this treaty. As March approaches the American peoples repair there damaged lives. On August 1 the plecibites are held. September 1, Arizona stays with the Union while New Mexico joins the CSA. Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and West Virginia stay with the Union while Indian Territory will join the CSA.