Today in Labor History February 21, 1797: In the wake of the French Revolution, 1,400 French soldiers invaded Britain to support the Society of United Irishmen in the Battle of Fishguard (Wales). A force of only 500 British reservists defeated them within two days. This was also the last time that a foreign army invaded Britain. 33 French soldiers died. The British captured another 1,360. In 1798, the United Irishmen instigated a republican insurrection, which failed. In December, 1796, the French had also tried to assist the United Irishmen, but failed to land a single ship due to terrible weather, losing 12 ships and 2,000 sailors in the process.

#LaborHistory #WorkingClass #ireland #IrishRebellion #republican #british #colonialism #french #Revolution #UnitedIrishmen #massacre