So just because the Japanese bombed the crap out of Pearl Harbor doesn't mean that war had been declared?
Under international law of the era, declaration of a blockade is an act of war...
A blockade against the ports of a foreign country may well be an act of war. A blockade against ports within your own country is not. Unless you are declaring war upon yourself.
...and thus after the conflict the United States Supreme Court held the institution of the blockade to constitute the legal commencement of the Civil War.
Which case are you citing please?
Pardon the delay in responding to your post.
Analogy is the refuge of a depleted argument. Pacific war conditions involving a militarily hostile foreign country capable of inflicting mortal damage to its enemies almost 80 years in separation do not reflect the conditions in Lincoln's cabinet in 1861; therefore the Japanese comparison is unfit for discussion on this thread.
"Under international law of the era, declaration of a blockade is an act of war...
Correct. And that is the basis for the Federal Court ruling that many on different forums here have cited you in the past. But you continue to mimic considered responses by using circular logic instead of accepting the fact of the court ruling.
Your arguments about relevance do not change the fact that Lincoln's action in April of 1861 was the war’s Official beginning.