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John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC (18 August 1792 – 28 May 1878), known as Lord John Russell before 1861, was an English Whig and Liberal politician who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1846-52, 1865-6). He also served as Foreign Secretary under Lord Palmerston from 1859 to 1865, a period of numerous momentous global events, including the unification of Italy, the Second Schleswig War between the Prussia-Austrian alliance and Denmark (one of the early events in the unification of Germany), and the American Civil War.
John Russell in The Guns of the South[]
During John Russell's tenure as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Britain, the Confederate States gained independence during the Second American Revolution in 1864. While the British government did recognise the C.S. in light of their decisive victory, before this, Britain had been reluctant to recognise or extend diplomatic ties to a country so dependent on slavery. Russell conveyed this to C.S. envoy James Mason, who in turn conveyed the message to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Even after victory, this position rankled Davis, who shared his disdain with Robert E. Lee.[1]
John Russell in Southern Victory[]
During John Russell's tenure as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Britain, the United States fought the War of Secession. In 1862, with the Southern states' victory at the Battle of Camp Hill, Russell was directed by Prime Minister Lord Palmerston to offer to mediate between the US and the newly-recognised Confederate States. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln reluctantly accepted his offer, ending the war and creating the Confederate States. Throughout the remainder of his tenure, Russell saw to it that the CS remained a close ally of Britain's.[2]
References[]
- ↑ The Guns of the South, pg. 253, pb.
- ↑ American Front, pg. 5, PB.
Political offices (OTL) | ||
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Preceded by Robert Peel |
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1846-1852 |
Succeeded by Earl of Derby |
Preceded by Lord Palmerston |
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1865-1866 |
Succeeded by Earl of Derby |
Preceded by James Harris, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury |
Foreign Secretary 1852-1853 |
Succeeded by George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon |
Preceded by James Harris, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury |
Foreign Secretary 1859-1865 |
Succeeded by George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon |
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