I would place the POD in the Boer Wars.
1880~
Almost Ever since Lee managed to capture DC in 1862, and guaranteeing Confederate Victory, Britian had been pushing the CSA over it's Slavery.
The Friendship with France had latest a few years longer, allowing the CS to Buy Baja from Mexico, and giving the CS a pacific port to go with New Mexico.
However it to had given way.
The true death of Anglo-Confed relation had come when a British ship Caught the Old CSS Alabama Smuggling Arms and Ammo to the Boers in SAfrica. In response the British placed a Embargo on Imports from the CSA.
While some increase could go to France, France was industrially unable to replace Britain.
However during the War the Confederates had enjoyed good relations with the new nation of Germany. The Military observers from both Nations Being from the Calvary
While the Germans were upset over the CSA's maintenance of Slavery, they were less willing to allow their moral abhorrence to interfere with their Business.
However during the 1880's Brazil finally abolished Slavery, and the CS saw the Writing on the Wall. By the Mid 1890's steps were being taken to allow the CSA to abolish Slavery.
During the 1890's the CS Backed the Rebels in Cuba, smuggling Guns and Supplies to them.
In the 1896 Venezuela Crisis The CSA backed Germany, greatly increasing the relation between them.
In 1902 the 2nd Boer War broke out. For the proceeding twenty years the CS had enjoyed a Warm relation with the Boer Republics, and along with Germany voiced full support for the Boers.
Both Germany and the CSA again sent Military Observers, Here and 3 years later to Manchuria. There they learned lessons that would come in useful when the 3rd Balkan War exploded into the Great War.
While the CS never formally joined the Central Powers, It found itself at war with Britain, when the British moved to Stop a CS Convey to Germany, and sank several CS Ships.