The American Civil War led to fears in Canada and in Britain that once the U.S. had concluded its internal warfare, they would invade Canada again. Canada was sometimes a safe haven for Confederate Secret Service operations against the U.S.; many Canadian citizens and politicians were sympathetic to the Confederacy. This led to events such as the Chesapeake Affair, the St. Albans Raid, and a failed attempt to burn down New York City. As attorney general of Canada West, Macdonald refused to prosecute Confederate operatives who were using Canada to launch attacks on U.S. soil across the border.
The American Civil War led to fears in Canada and in Britain that once the US had concluded its internal warfare they would invade Canada again Canada was sometimes a safe haven for Confederate Secret Service operations against the US; many Canadian citizens and politicians were sympathetic to the Confederacy This led to events such as the Chesapeake Affair the St Albans Raid and a failed attempt to burn down New York City As attorney general of Canada West Macdonald refused to prosecute Confederate operatives who were using Canada to launch attacks on US soil across the border