Fenian Raids - Results and Long Term Effects

Results and Long Term Effects

Support for the Fenian Brotherhood's invasion of Canada fell and there was no real threat of any more raids after the 1890s. The raids, however, did have many lasting effects on Canadians.

The raids caused a marked anti-American feeling in Canada and the Maritimes due to the handling of the Fenians by the American government when the Fenians were in preparation for the raids. The raids also aroused a martial spirit among Canadians by giving their militia tests of strength. The militia improved after the raids thanks to the experience gained. This was achieved without the huge cost of a war. Perhaps the largest impact the raids had was their role in the development of Canadian nationalism and helping to lead the provinces involved into Confederation. The Fenian Raids helped to create feeling of nationalism in British North America in the 1860s. While this helped confederation, also necessary was the desire to survive and the need for self-defence; the raids were crucial in showing Canadians that safety lay in unity. The raids deserve to be seen as an important factor in the creation of what we now know as Canada.

We are the Fenian Brotherhood, skilled in the arts of war,

And we're going to fight for Ireland, the land we adore,

Many battles we have won, along with the boys in blue,

And we'll go and capture Canada, for we've nothing else to do.

— "Fenian soldier's song"