His Dominion vs New Ireland: The Ontario Protestant Churches and the Fenian Invasion, 1866

Abstract

<p>In June of 1866 Canada was invaded by a group of Irish-American freedom fighters known as the Fenians. Canada was the closest, and most viable, location for an attack by the anti- British group. The Protestant churches in Ontario were not mute in their condemnation of the invasion and this thesis explores the reasons why they were so opposed to the Fenian mission . In 1866, Canada was not yet a nation and a large amount of Ontario' s citizens were of Irish descent. Because of this, the Fenians actually anticipated support from within the Canadian-Irish population and were disheartened when they were met with muskets, and not parades. The Protestant response was unequivocally anti-Fenian and the religious press of the day used its significant influence to challenge and condemn every aspect of the Fenians and their intentions towards both Britain and Canada. Within these condemnations, a picture of what it meant to be both Canadian and Protestant emerged</p>