During the American Civil War (1861-1865), British leaders widely favored the Confederacy, as it had been a major source of cotton for textile mills, but Prince Albert was effective in defusing the Trent episode, and the British people, who depended heavily on American food imports, generally favored the United States. What little cotton was available came from New York, as the blockade by the US Navy shut down 95% of Southern exports to Britain. In September 1862, during the Confederate invasion of Maryland, Britain (along with France) contemplated stepping in and negotiating a peace settlement, which could only mean war with the United States. But in the same month, US president Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation. Since support of the Confederacy now meant support for slavery, there was no longer any possibility of European intervention.
I don't know if this has been done before, but its just curiosity. It sounds to me that if Lincoln didn't announce the Emancipation Proclamation, america would be confederate, or not exist?
What would happen if Lincoln didn't announce the Emancipation Proclamation? On a world scale/ america scale and butterflies, etc.
So, fire away!