April 4, 1864 – Congress Says “No” to Rebel-Friendly Maximilian

This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in my game, GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas.

April 4, 1864 – Congress Says “No” to Rebel-Friendly Maximilian

Historical Event:  Alarmed by Napoleon III’s declared intent to crown Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico, on April 4, 1864 Congress passed a joint resolution deploring the French intervention in that country and added that the United States would not “acknowledge any monarchical government” which would be installed “under the auspices of any European power.”   The French and notably Maximilian himself were sympathetic to the Confederacy, and French ports in Europe, her colonies and Mexico were havens for Rebel blockade runners.   Mexican President Benito Juarez, who led the fight against the French interventionist forces, was an admirer and ally of President Lincoln.  Both men believed France harbored imperial ambitions that would extend beyond Mexico, and that Napoleon III and Maximilian might ally with the Confederacy.

Game Connection:   France and Maximilian are both represented in Rebel Raiders on the High Seas.  Confederate Blockade Runners may be built in and load cargo in France and Mexico, and while in play the Maximilian Card (CSN Card 61) provides additional benefits including a modifier to the Confederate Supply attrition die roll and a free Blockade Runner every turn.

This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in my game, GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas,  

May 14, 1863

            Historical Event:   Rebel raiders expelled from England!

Succumbing to growing popular pressure to curtail ties with the South in the wake of Lincoln’s issuing of The Emancipation Proclamation, construction of Confederate raiders in English ports is halted by order of Her Majesty’s Government.  The chief Confederate agent for those in England, Commander James D. Bullock, CSN, is told his ships will not be confiscated, as the Union has asked, but will be allowed to sail for France, where construction may continue, subject to the whim of Emperor Napoleon III.

            Game Connection:  No game of the Civil War would be complete without a nod to The Emancipation Proclamation.  The Union player can enact it starting in 1863 upon capture of a Confederate city or port.  Among the many benefits the Union obtains from this act is the enhanced abilities noted on USN Card 55 (Diplomatic Pressure).   As noted on the card, the Union selects one of the two European port boxes and places a marker there, not only closing it to the South for the duration of the game, but also allowing him to roll a die for each Rebel ship in that port which will result in either it being seized or forced out to sea.