Final answer:
Confederate President Jefferson Davis sent diplomats to Britain to negotiate an alliance in 1861, which did not materialize due to the Confederacy's stance on slavery and the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1861, Confederate President Jefferson Davis took steps to secure an alliance with Britain by sending diplomats to negotiate. This was part of an effort to gain support for the Confederacy during the Civil War. However, the Confederacy's commitment to slavery played against their favor, as Britain had abolished slavery in 1833 and the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, which declared the freedom of slaves in Confederate states, solidified Britain's views. Consequently, Britain, along with France, did not enter into an alliance, effectively leading the Confederacy to rely on its own limited resources. The correct answer to the question is c. Sent diplomats to negotiate.