Which key event led to international recognition of the Confederacy?

The Trent Affair is recognized as a pivotal event that garnered international recognition for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. This incident occurred in late 1861 when the USS San Jacinto, a Union warship, intercepted the British mail ship RMS Trent and captured two Confederate diplomats, James Mason and John Slidell, who were en route to Europe to seek support for the Confederacy.

The British government was outraged by this action, viewing it as a violation of their neutral rights. In the midst of rising tensions, the Confederacy's diplomatic reach gained significant attention, and the affair prompted discussions in Britain about possibly recognizing the Confederacy as a legitimate nation. The subsequent diplomatic crisis highlighted the external pressures and interests surrounding the Civil War, emphasizing the importance of foreign relations in the conflict.

Ultimately, while the Trent Affair did not lead to formal recognition of the Confederacy, it demonstrated their efforts to engage in diplomacy and the potential for international support, significantly raising the profile of the Confederacy on the world stage.