| The Fenians were Irish revolutionaries in America and Ireland who vowed to free Ireland from Great Britain using violence as their primary method. America, during the Civil War, provided the Fenians the ability to arm and train for a future war with Great Britain. Furthermore, America provided the Fenians with constitutional protections that fostered their growth and allowed them to attempt several invasions into Canada. Although the Fenians were brought together by a common cause, agreeing on a proper course of action proved difficult. In the end, internal dissension, a shift in American foreign policy, and the Catholic Church helped bring about the demise of the Fenian Brotherhood. |
