Final answer:
The type of aid the Confederacy most needed from Britain was diplomatic recognition. Hopes of financial and military support were not realized due to Great Britain's antislavery stance and finding other cotton sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the author, the type of aid the Confederacy was in greatest need of from Britain was diplomatic recognition. The Confederacy's reliance on cotton exports and the hope of European intervention, specifically from Great Britain and France, were critical elements of their strategy. The Confederate government hoped for Great Britain and France to make loans to ensure the flow of raw materials. However, Great Britain's commitment to antislavery stances, especially after the Union's Emancipation Proclamation, and its ability to find alternate sources of cotton, resulted in a lack of support and recognition. Thus, the Confederacy was left without the anticipated income or alliance with Great Britain, exacerbating their economic struggles and leaving them to face the Union with limited resources.