Grand continental war to unify the union

So, I'm watching the 1988 miniseries "Lincoln", and near the beginning, Secretary of State Seward is pushing for starting a war with European powers in the name of the Monroe Doctrine, which he believed would appeal to the southerners identities as Americans and make them rejoin the Union. This is something that I'd not heard about before. Any truth to it?
What would have been the result of it? Could he have convinced Lincoln to pursue this course, or if he had become President instead is that something he would have pursued himself?
 
If done this would be an epic disaster whose outcome can only be one of the most misguided and foolish Epic fails in the long, sad history of failing.
 
I totally agree that it woulda been bad. But would Seward have pursued it anyway?
I'm afraid he would have, if he were President.
What would have happened it he did?
The Confederacy would've gone their own way. But it would've been interesting to see how much or little whatever European power would support the Confederacy, given how both Britain and Seward were hostile to slavery.
 
The only similar thing I've heard of was a Confederate proposal for a joint CSA/USA attack on the French in Mexico, but Lincoln wouldn't budge on independence and I'm not even sure if Davis was aware of or consented to the peace proposal.
 
Curbstomp America. The British Empire alone could have plastered the US in this time period, but a fractured nation attacking Europe is suicide.
 

Jasen777

Donor
What would have happened it he did?

Britain would have declared war on the Union in support of the Confederation, but then accidentally invade a Confederate city and rape all the women. The U.S. reunites and by the third book captures London.
 
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