Fenian Raids
Why was this secret society important to Canadian History?
In 1865 Britain crushed the Ireland-based independence movement, scattering its leaders. Several Irish veterans of the American Civil War were left with bad feelings towards Britain. Their membership grew quickly to about 10,000 men, but their ideas on how to retaliate against Britain varied. Some felt an uprising in Ireland was the way to go, others felt it better to stage a cross-border military action against Canada. Taking Canada by force and exchanging it with Britain for Irish Independence was the plan. So from 1866-1871 the Fenians sent small armed incursions to Canada. Canada and Britain took this seriously. Spies that were planted to watch Confederate sympathizers in the Northern US were told to shift their attention to Fenians. Six raids occurred over the 4 years. While the Fenians did not achieve their goal it did make the Canadian militia look at the shortfalls in leadership, structure and training which they improved upon over the years to come. |
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The “continuous journey regulation” was as an amendment to the Immigration Act in 1908, prohibiting the landing of any immigrant that did not come to Canada by continuous journey from the country of which they were natives or citizens.
Annexation of US
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This was Canada's first official dispatch of troops to an overseas war.
Navel Act (May 4, 1910)
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Executive Branch
This branch operates, implements, and enforces all the laws created by the legislative branch. It is made up of The Queen, represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the Executive Council which is made up of cabinet Ministers appointed by the current Premier. |
Judiciary Branch
This branch administers justice through interpretation and application of laws that protect citizens of Canada. They also punish those who break the law. It is made up of Canada's system of courts and judges and operates independently from other branches of government. |