Battle of Ridgeway
Painting
Activities
LOOK
Look closely at this painting and complete the following sentences:
- I see … [what do you see in the painting?]
- I think … [what do you think is happening in the painting?]
- I wonder … [what questions do you have about the painting?]
LOOK
What type of visual clues has the artist given us to identify the two sides taking part in this battle?
THINK
This painting of the Battle of Ridgeway was completed after it took place. Can you trust it as a source of historical evidence? What aspects might the artist have taken liberties with?
DO
The Fenians are associated with the colour green. Why do you think this is? Do some external research to find the answer.
Hint: Think about the country the Fenians came from.
Details
Date 1869
Materials - Coloured Lithograph
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who sought to free Ireland from British rule by force of arms.
- The Fenians launched raids into British North America from the United States. This threat of violence was one reason Confederation appealed to some in the colonies: united, they could defend themselves more easily.
- This image shows the Battle of Ridgeway (in present-day Ontario), where the Fenians fought and defeated the Canadian militia.
This image depicts the Battle of Ridgeway, a clash between the Fenians and Canadian militia in 1866.
The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who advocated using armed force to free Ireland from British rule. One of their strategies was to attack Britain’s colonies in North America from the United States, with the hope of igniting U.S.–British tensions, or, to capture and hold ransom a British colony in exchange for Irish independence.
The threat of violence from groups like the Fenians was one reason some chose to support Confederation. United, the colonies had a better chance of defending themselves.
This print shows all the Fenians in green uniforms, but it’s likely that many of them would have worn their American Civil War uniforms, which weren’t green, into battle. The Fenians also carried green regimental flags, as depicted in the print.
This image depicts the Battle of Ridgeway, a clash between the Fenians and Canadian militia in 1866.
The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who advocated using armed force to free Ireland from British rule. One of their strategies was to attack Britain’s colonies in North America from the United States, with the hope of igniting U.S.–British tensions, or, to capture and hold ransom a British colony in exchange for Irish independence.
After a failed raid of New Brunswick in 1866, the Fenians captured Fort Erie (in present-day Ontario) later that year. This led to the Battle of Ridgeway, which pitted inexperienced Canadian militia against well-armed Fenians, many of whom had served in the American Civil War, 1861–1865. Despite winning the battle, the Fenians eventually withdrew to the United States.
The threat of violence from groups like the Fenians was one reason some chose to support Confederation. United, the colonies had a better chance of defending themselves.
This print shows all the Fenians in green uniforms, but it’s likely that many of them would have worn their American Civil War uniforms, which weren’t green. The Fenians also carried green regimental flags, as depicted in the print.
- The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who sought to free Ireland from British rule by force of arms.
- The Fenians launched raids into British North America from the United States. This threat of violence was one reason Confederation appealed to some in the colonies: united, they could defend themselves more easily.
- This image shows the Battle of Ridgeway (in present-day Ontario), where the Fenians fought and defeated the Canadian militia.
This image depicts the Battle of Ridgeway, a clash between the Fenians and Canadian militia in 1866.
The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who advocated using armed force to free Ireland from British rule. One of their strategies was to attack Britain’s colonies in North America from the United States, with the hope of igniting U.S.–British tensions, or, to capture and hold ransom a British colony in exchange for Irish independence.
The threat of violence from groups like the Fenians was one reason some chose to support Confederation. United, the colonies had a better chance of defending themselves.
This print shows all the Fenians in green uniforms, but it’s likely that many of them would have worn their American Civil War uniforms, which weren’t green, into battle. The Fenians also carried green regimental flags, as depicted in the print.
This image depicts the Battle of Ridgeway, a clash between the Fenians and Canadian militia in 1866.
The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who advocated using armed force to free Ireland from British rule. One of their strategies was to attack Britain’s colonies in North America from the United States, with the hope of igniting U.S.–British tensions, or, to capture and hold ransom a British colony in exchange for Irish independence.
After a failed raid of New Brunswick in 1866, the Fenians captured Fort Erie (in present-day Ontario) later that year. This led to the Battle of Ridgeway, which pitted inexperienced Canadian militia against well-armed Fenians, many of whom had served in the American Civil War, 1861–1865. Despite winning the battle, the Fenians eventually withdrew to the United States.
The threat of violence from groups like the Fenians was one reason some chose to support Confederation. United, the colonies had a better chance of defending themselves.
This print shows all the Fenians in green uniforms, but it’s likely that many of them would have worn their American Civil War uniforms, which weren’t green. The Fenians also carried green regimental flags, as depicted in the print.
Summary
- The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who sought to free Ireland from British rule by force of arms.
- The Fenians launched raids into British North America from the United States. This threat of violence was one reason Confederation appealed to some in the colonies: united, they could defend themselves more easily.
- This image shows the Battle of Ridgeway (in present-day Ontario), where the Fenians fought and defeated the Canadian militia.
Essential
This image depicts the Battle of Ridgeway, a clash between the Fenians and Canadian militia in 1866.
The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who advocated using armed force to free Ireland from British rule. One of their strategies was to attack Britain’s colonies in North America from the United States, with the hope of igniting U.S.–British tensions, or, to capture and hold ransom a British colony in exchange for Irish independence.
The threat of violence from groups like the Fenians was one reason some chose to support Confederation. United, the colonies had a better chance of defending themselves.
This print shows all the Fenians in green uniforms, but it’s likely that many of them would have worn their American Civil War uniforms, which weren’t green, into battle. The Fenians also carried green regimental flags, as depicted in the print.
In-Depth
This image depicts the Battle of Ridgeway, a clash between the Fenians and Canadian militia in 1866.
The Fenians were a group of Irish nationalists who advocated using armed force to free Ireland from British rule. One of their strategies was to attack Britain’s colonies in North America from the United States, with the hope of igniting U.S.–British tensions, or, to capture and hold ransom a British colony in exchange for Irish independence.
After a failed raid of New Brunswick in 1866, the Fenians captured Fort Erie (in present-day Ontario) later that year. This led to the Battle of Ridgeway, which pitted inexperienced Canadian militia against well-armed Fenians, many of whom had served in the American Civil War, 1861–1865. Despite winning the battle, the Fenians eventually withdrew to the United States.
The threat of violence from groups like the Fenians was one reason some chose to support Confederation. United, the colonies had a better chance of defending themselves.
This print shows all the Fenians in green uniforms, but it’s likely that many of them would have worn their American Civil War uniforms, which weren’t green. The Fenians also carried green regimental flags, as depicted in the print.