Several foreign powers, however, had informal political, economic, and military influence that benefited the Confederate States. These powers included:
- The United Kingdom:
British merchants sold arms, munitions, and other much-needed supplies to the Confederacy throughout the war. In addition, Confederate ships were sold to and often manned by British citizens, and the Confederate Navy often received refuge and support from British ports and colonies.
- France:
French Emperor Napoleon III had a secret desire to see the dissolution of the United States, and thus provided considerable economic support to the Confederate cause. The Confederacy hoped to gain French military support on their side, but the French declined, in order to avoid diplomatic consequences with the United States.
- Spain:
Spanish officials in Cuba aided the Confederacy by allowing some of its merchants to trade with Cuba in violation of the United States' blockade. They also allowed Confederate ships to have refuge and sometimes provided coal and other supplies to Confederate vessels in Cuban ports.
- Brazil:
Emperor Pedro II of Brazil was interested in purchasing American cotton, and some of his naval officers provided coal to Confederate ships.