Assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee Quiz

Study Notes

In 1868, Thomas D'Arcy McGee, a respected Canadian politician and advocate for Canadian unity, was assassinated in the country's first political assassination, leaving Prime Minister John A. Macdonald devastated.
McGee, originally from Ireland, was a former revolutionary fighter for Irish independence who later became a key figure in the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.
The main suspects in McGee's murder were the Fenians, a group of Irish revolutionaries who viewed McGee as a traitor and sought to pressure the British government for Irish independence.
McGee was shot and killed outside Mrs. Trotter's boarding house, leading to the arrest and trial of Patrick James Whelan, who was eventually sentenced to death and hanged in 1869.
The trial of Whelan was controversial, with Sir John A. Macdonald exerting influence over the case, questionable witness testimonies, and a jury composed of individuals who may have been biased against Whelan as an Irish Catholic.
Despite the conviction of Whelan, there were doubts surrounding his guilt, including conflicting testimonies, a questionable motive, and evidence that pointed to potential involvement of his lawyer, John O'Farrell.
The case of Thomas D'Arcy McGee's assassination remains unsolved to this day, shrouded in mystery and controversy surrounding the trial and conviction of Patrick James Whelan.- John O'Farrell was allegedly involved in stalling someone from meeting McGee, and later vanished around the time of the murder.
A newspaper called O'Farrell a murderer, leading to a lawsuit, but this information only surfaced after Whelan was executed.
There are theories suggesting a conspiracy involving a group in McGee's murder and O'Farrell's involvement.
Whelan, who was hanged, tried to appeal his sentence twice but faced obstacles, including a judge who presided over both his trial and appeal.
Sir John A. Macdonald played a role in denying Whelan a Catholic burial and ensuring his body was buried at the jail, while McGee received Canada's first state funeral.

Description

Test your knowledge about the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, a prominent Canadian politician and advocate for Canadian unity, including details about the suspects, the controversial trial of Patrick James Whelan, and the unsolved mystery surrounding the case. Explore the historical events and figures involved in this significant political assassination in Canadian history.