A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Why did the USA allow Fenian raids across the Canadian border?

1. To help Canada gain independence

2. As a retaliation for British support of the Confederacy

3. To establish a military base in Canada

4. To create alliances with Indigenous groups

The correct answer is: As a retaliation for British support of the Confederacy

The United States' tacit allowance of Fenian raids across the Canadian border is best understood in the context of geopolitical relations during the post-Civil War period. Many Americans viewed the British government's support of the Confederacy during the Civil War as a betrayal, fostering resentment towards Britain. Fenian raids, organized by Irish-American groups seeking to liberate Ireland from British rule, were seen by some in the U.S. as an act of retaliation against British interference in American affairs and support for the South. The raids were symbolic of the broader nationalist aspirations among Irish-Americans and served to highlight the lingering animosity towards Britain. Many Americans, especially those with Irish ancestry, supported these actions, which were perceived as a form of protest against British imperial power and interference in the United States' internal affairs. Thus, allowing these raids aligned with a sense of national sentiment and was a way for many Americans to express their anger about British policies at the time.