Programs
New England Seminar in American History
Wednesday, May 2, 2001
The Fenian Movement and the Construction of
A National Identity in the Era of Reconstruction
Mitchell Snay
Denison University
Wednesday, May 2, 2001, at 4:30 p.m.
Elmarion Room, Goddard-Daniels House
190 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts
PRÉCIS The Fenian movement was a secret revolutionary crusade to secure
Irish independence through armed revolt against England. Established as
the American counterpart to the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood founded in
Ireland in 1858, the Fenians became the most popular manifestation of
Irish-American nationalism in the Civil War era. This nationalism was
best embodied in their notion of an Irish Republic based on
self-government, liberty, and citizenship. This concept of a republic is
best located within the ideological and political context of
Reconstruction. Indeed, the Fenian movement bears intriguing
similarities to similar efforts at political autonomy and ethnic identity
by both African-American freedmen and Southern white conservatives in the
post Civil War South.
Refreshments will be provided during the discussion of the paper.
Afterwards, a supper, with wine, will be served in the dining room of the
Goddard-Daniels House at $15.00 per person. The entrée will be bowtie
pasta with chicken breast and broccoli in a basil cream sauce. Please
indicate below if you would prefer a vegetarian entrée. If you wish to
stay for supper, please send your check in that amount to arrive at AAS no
later than Monday, April 30. The Society regrets that it is unable to make
refunds for dinner after that date.
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