Liverpool & World History
From the first shots of the American Civil War to the last, Liverpool's story is woven into the fabric of world events.
Liverpool & the American Civil War
From the first shots to the last, Liverpool played a remarkable role in America's bloodiest conflict.
The First Shots
The guns that fired the first shots of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter in April 1861 were manufactured in Liverpool. The city's armaments industry supplied weapons to both sides of the conflict.
CSS Alabama
Built secretly at Birkenhead's Cammell Laird shipyard in 1862, the CSS Alabama became the most famous Confederate commerce raider, capturing or destroying 65 Union vessels before being sunk off Cherbourg in 1864.
The Alabama Claims
After the war, the US successfully sued Britain for $15.5 million in damages for building Confederate ships, a landmark in international arbitration.
Cotton Trade
Liverpool was the world centre of the cotton trade. Lancashire mills depended on Southern cotton, creating divided loyalties during the war, though many workers supported abolition despite economic hardship.
CSS Shenandoah
The CSS Shenandoah, converted from a British merchant ship, fired the last shots of the Civil War in the Bering Sea in June 1865, unaware the war had ended. She surrendered at Herculaneum Dock, Liverpool, on 6 November 1865, bringing the American Civil War to its final conclusion.
Global Connections
Events that shaped the world, with Liverpool at their heart.
Irish Famine Migration
Over one million Irish emigrants passed through Liverpool fleeing the Great Famine. Many stayed, creating the city's large Irish community and the first Chinatown in Europe.
Titanic Registry
RMS Titanic was registered in Liverpool, her home port. Though she sailed from Southampton, 'Liverpool' was painted on her stern and many of her crew were Liverpudlians.
Battle of the Atlantic
Liverpool was headquarters for Western Approaches Command, coordinating the crucial Atlantic convoys. The city was the most bombed area outside London.
Cunard Line
For over a century, Liverpool was home to the Cunard Line, operating legendary vessels like the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, connecting Britain to North America.
Chinese Seamen
Liverpool's oldest Chinese community in Europe developed as Chinese seamen settled near the docks, establishing businesses and the first Chinatown.
Military Heritage
King's Regiment (Liverpool)
One of Britain's oldest infantry regiments, the King's Regiment served in conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to Northern Ireland before merging in 2006.
Liverpool Pals
Four battalions of volunteers who enlisted together in WWI. Many were killed on the first day of the Somme, devastating entire communities.
HMS Eagle
Aircraft carrier based at Liverpool that played crucial roles in WWII Malta convoys. A successor HMS Eagle (R09) was scrapped in 1978.
Western Approaches
The underground command centre beneath Derby House coordinated the entire Battle of the Atlantic from Liverpool.
World Firsts
First public railway (1830)
Liverpool to Manchester
First School of Tropical Medicine (1898)
Still a world leader
First lending library (1758)
Lyceum Library
First purpose-built lifeboat station (1776)
Formby
First passenger helicopter service (1950)
Liverpool to Cardiff
First Chinatown in Europe
From 1860s
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