Context, Left Panel: in 1866, shortly after the end of the American Civil War, an Irish republican organization known as the Fenian Brotherhood launched a series of raids into Canada with the goal of ending the British occupation of Ireland. The raids were largely not successful.
Context, Right Panel: In 1846, the United States invaded Mexico, which would result in the seceding of contested territory in what is now Western Texas as well as the annexation of what is now the State of California and the American Southwest. Many Irish Americans serving in the US military actually defected to join the Mexican army, forming the now famous Batallón de San Patricio. This unit would go on to fight against American forces on behalf of Mexico.
by TeutonicToltec
5 Comments
Arguably the Fenian raids became one impetus for the foundation of the Canadian Dominion.
They failed to help Ireland but they solidified the British colonies into a new proto-country that would spread coast to coast to deny the US any of the land in between.
Damn, these meme templates are older than my brother
I wrote a paper on the Fenian Invasions in college, they’re one of my favorite historical anecdotes because they’re just so crazy
Always loved the story of St. Patrick’s Battalion, absolute legends!
I could’ve sworn I read that the Fenian’s were a made up conspiracy to push anti-irish attitudes, am I thinking of something else?