The Fenians By: Donald, Jessica, & Devan

Who They Are? Irishmen who opposed British presence. Irishmen who opposed British presence. They wanted independence for Ireland, free of British rule. They wanted independence for Ireland, free of British rule.

What is a Fenian? The Fenian name comes from the legendary warriors, the Fianna led by Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The Fenian name comes from the legendary warriors, the Fianna led by Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Fianna meaning: Semi-independent warrior bands who lived apart from society in the forests as mercenaries in Ireland. Fianna meaning: Semi-independent warrior bands who lived apart from society in the forests as mercenaries in Ireland.

The Great Famine The Great Famine was caused by a fungus disease that rotted potato plants in the ground in The Great Famine was caused by a fungus disease that rotted potato plants in the ground in There were 5 million people living in Ireland at the time and many were affected by the famine. There were 5 million people living in Ireland at the time and many were affected by the famine. Many thought the government in London would help solve Irelands problem but when no help whatsoever came, people decided the only hope Ireland had for its future was to separate from Great Britain. Many thought the government in London would help solve Irelands problem but when no help whatsoever came, people decided the only hope Ireland had for its future was to separate from Great Britain. More than half the potato crops in Ireland were destroyed. More than half the potato crops in Ireland were destroyed. The Famine lasted from The Famine lasted from

Uprising In 1848 a group named Young Ireland launched an un-organized attack against the government. In 1848 a group named Young Ireland launched an un-organized attack against the government. The group was led by James Stephens and John O’Mahony. The group was led by James Stephens and John O’Mahony. The uprising was a complete failure. The uprising was a complete failure. Stephens and O’Mahony were accused of committing very serious crimes and fled to Paris where they were relatively safe. Stephens and O’Mahony were accused of committing very serious crimes and fled to Paris where they were relatively safe.

Stephens & O’Mahony’s Return O’Mahony went to America in O’Mahony went to America in There he started a new organization called the Fenian Brotherhood which was a group who’s aim was independence for Ireland. There he started a new organization called the Fenian Brotherhood which was a group who’s aim was independence for Ireland. Fenianism according to O’Mahony was symbolized by two principles: Fenianism according to O’Mahony was symbolized by two principles: First that Ireland has a natural right to independence. First that Ireland has a natural right to independence. Secondly that that right could be won only by an armed revolution. Secondly that that right could be won only by an armed revolution. Stephen returned to Ireland in There he started a secret society that became known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Stephen returned to Ireland in There he started a secret society that became known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

Growth The Fenian movement led by Stephens and O’Mahony quickly attracted thousands of supporters from America and Ireland. The Fenian movement led by Stephens and O’Mahony quickly attracted thousands of supporters from America and Ireland. As the Fenian movement grew, so did the difficulty of controlling and organizing it from two separate continents. As the Fenian movement grew, so did the difficulty of controlling and organizing it from two separate continents.

Problems O’Mahony and Stephens had different beliefs on how the Fenians should develop. O’Mahony thought they should develop in secrecy when Stephens felt that he should make as many people aware of the movement as possible. O’Mahony and Stephens had different beliefs on how the Fenians should develop. O’Mahony thought they should develop in secrecy when Stephens felt that he should make as many people aware of the movement as possible. The Roman Catholic Church was not supportive of the Fenians which changed beliefs of many supporters because of their power of the communities. The Roman Catholic Church was not supportive of the Fenians which changed beliefs of many supporters because of their power of the communities. British spies were also infiltrating the Fenians. The spies sent information back to the British which shut down any surprise attacks. British spies were also infiltrating the Fenians. The spies sent information back to the British which shut down any surprise attacks.

Fenians In Canada The Fenians made several invasion attempts between in Canada West because the British had control over that area. Their plan was to hold Canada hostage to be in a position to blackmail the United Kingdom to give Ireland its Independence. These invasions made any supporters in Canada, Irish and Canadian, very few and turned them against the Fenains.

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