Belfast and the American Civil War

Abstract

This article examines the Belfast reaction to the American Civil War as reported by the US consul, Dr John Young, and the leading Belfast newspapers. Such major events and issues as the secession crisis, the Trent affair, the sailing of commerce raiders and blockade runners, major battles, the economic effects of the war, and the death of President Abraham Lincoln generated strong opinions. The local opinion in Belfast is measured against the analysis of general Irish attitudes toward the Civil War by the historian Joseph M. Hernon.