Could France and Britain have been hostil in the 1860s

In otl Louis Napoleon was close to Britain. Could there have been hostility?

A couple of thoughts occur to me if that had happened.

Firstly they might have taken opposite views of the ACW

Secondly Ironclads reset Naval power circa 1861
 
In otl Louis Napoleon was close to Britain. Could there have been hostility?

A couple of thoughts occur to me if that had happened.

Firstly they might have taken opposite views of the ACW

Secondly Ironclads reset Naval power circa 1861
Napeleon III saw Britain as a natural ally; in the Americas he danced to Britain's tune. Had London recognized the CSA than Napoleon would follow suit. Of course the British were somewhat less receptive to him, they were still in splendid isolation and they didn't care about France too much. The invention of ironclads, or the American Civil War, wouldn't change that. France of the time was also horribly outmatched by Britain industrially, so I don't see it happening.
 
Napeleon III saw Britain as a natural ally; in the Americas he danced to Britain's tune. Had London recognized the CSA than Napoleon would follow suit. Of course the British were somewhat less receptive to him, they were still in splendid isolation and they didn't care about France too much. The invention of ironclads, or the American Civil War, wouldn't change that. France of the time was also horribly outmatched by Britain industrially, so I don't see it happening.

I think it possible that France could have had some other government at that time
 
There was a lot of rivalry and tension between the two powers, but it always ended up getting smoothed over. I could certainly see the second empire and britain going to war with each other. Quite possibly a minor colonial squabble, but id bet it good get major.

For instance, if napoleon blamed the brits for his assassination attempt, as much of the french press did, things could go bad fast.

Felice orsini 1858, that attempt.
 
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Yes, I definitely think so. First of all, France had such a long history of fighting with Britain and has never really quite approved. Also, I think France still had the most powerful army in Europe and probably the world as well as a modern navy. Colonial envy and ambitions were never good for friendship and France had plenty which ran up against Britain. Thailand, the Pacific Islands, West Africa, North Africa, East Africa... And don't forget the grudge they would have for the lands lost. Furthermore, Germany was not the threat it would become later; quite the contrary, the French had occupied Germany and thrashed Prussia less than fifty years ago under Napoleon. I think France, given a less Britain-friendly regime and a more ambitious foreign policy (which is not hard for such a country) might not just be hostile but dangerous too.
 
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