Wayne H. Bowen

It turns out that this monograph is a little broader in content than the title would suggest, as to deal with Madrid's position in relation to the late unpleasantness of the 1860s means considering Madrid's relationship with London and Paris. While there is an argument to be made that Madrid and Richmond could have been natural allies, the reality is that the Spanish government of the time was never going to do something so irrevocable as affording official recognition to the Confederacy unless in concert with the rest of the European powers.

Besides that Bowen spends some time examining the the brief revival of international influence that Spain experienced in the middle of the 19th century, at least until an effort in intervene in Santo Domingo blew up in Madrid's face, leading to the political demise of Leopoldo O'Donnell, the main exponent of an aggressive Spanish foreign policy.… (mehr)