[what's up]

I believe that Europe backed the South because they wanted to slow the US economy, the engine of which was in the North with the banks. Yes, this does sound familiar to today's Europe which wants to slow the US economy with things like the Kyoto treaty.

Interesting about Lincoln not having military experience versus his opponent's credentials. However, didn't Lincoln fight in the Blackhawk War or some such?

[Westpole]

Yes of course Lincoln had fought in the Black-hawk War but compared to McClellan it was very limited..sorta like the National Guard vs. "Decorated war hero"..yeah I know its in quotes..

[GOPcapitalist]

I believe that Europe backed the South because they wanted to slow the US economy, the engine of which was in the North with the banks.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The Europeans who backed the south did so primarily because the south was in favor of free trade while the north was protectionist. Put another way, the north was heavily penalizing european goods with extravagent taxes to support a tax-and-spend government mentality. Seeing their trade cut off in the north, the European commercial interests started rooting for the south, which was willing to engage in free trade with them.