<P> The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland remained officially neutral throughout the American Civil War (1861--1865). It legally recognised the belligerent status of the Confederate States of America (CSA) but never recognised it as a nation and neither signed a treaty with it or ever exchanged ambassadors . Over 90 percent of Confederate trade with Britain ended, causing a severe shortage of cotton by 1862 . Britain financed blockade runners that sent munitions and luxuries to Confederate ports in return for cotton and tobacco . Top British officials debated offering to mediate in the first 18 months, which the Confederacy wanted but the United States strongly rejected . </P> <P> The British elite tended to support the Confederacy, but ordinary people tended to support the United States of America . Large - scale trade continued between Britain and the US . The UUS shipped grain to Britain, and Britain sent manufactured items and munitions to the US . Immigration continued into the US, with many Britons volunteering for its army . British trade with the Confederacy fell over 90% from the prewar period, with a small amount of cotton going to Britain and some munitions and luxury goods slipped in by numerous small blockade runners . They were operated and funded by British private interests . They were legal under international law and caused no dispute between the US and Britain . </P>

Who did britain support in the american civil war
find me the text answering this question