Outcome: 7.4.1 Explain how the expansion and development of Canada during the 1870’s and early 1880s affected its various peoples and regions.

Read pages 150-153 and list the causes and effects of the Red River Rebellion

Red River Rebellion

Causes of Rebellion

The Events at Red River

-Canada buys Rupert’s land from HBC.

-Not allowed to take over until December 1869

-No communication with people of RRS

-Métis Fear government will favor English

The Surveyors Arrive

-summer of 1869 (earlier than allowed)

-surveying land already claimed by Métis families (square plots instead of lond narrow strips of land

-Métis become worried and angry

-Louis Riel stands up for Métis and surveyors leave

National Committee of the Métis

-Métis begin to discuss situation (they believe Canada will give away their land to new settlers)

-Métis did not wand land divided up using government system

-October 16 1869 Métis form national committee to decide how to protect lands (Louis Riel important member)

The Lieutenant-Governor Arrives

-Late October new L-G of NWT’s arrives in RRS before official date of ownership

-Métis make him turn back and they take over FortGarry (able to control settlement from there – full of supplies: food and ammunition)

Forming a Provisional Government

-Métis perspective is their land has no government (HBC no longer owns and Canada wasn’t taking over until December

-Métis decide if they join confederation they want the same rights the other colonies had received)

Negotiating

-J.A.M. thought it would be better to come to an agreement with provisional government than to take land by force (sent messengers to talk to Métis)

-Métis wrote Bill of Rights (Key points on page 151)

Trouble in Fort Garry

-Not all settlers agree with provisional Govt. in RRS (Small group of newer English Ontario settlers wanted area to become an English-speaking protestant province whom plotted an attack on Prov. Govt.)

-Riel jails these settlers (1 month later he lets them go on conditions of obedience or banishment)

-Some men escaped and planned attack on FG. They were caught and arrested again. Thomas Scott insulted jail guards and claimed he would kill Louis Riel.

  • Under traditional Métis Law this behavior was a serious offence. Louis Riel listens to guards and Scott is found guilty and is executed by firing squad

Trouble in Ottawa

-News of Scott Thomas’ execution reaches Ottawa and English Protestants are furious (they see Riel as a murderer and demand his punishment)

-Many French saw him as a hero and protecting French culture against Canadian govt.

-J.A.M. was in difficult position (did not want to anger French or English Canadians; does not arrest Riel, seeks peaceful solution)

Effects of Red River Rebellion

The Province of Manitoba

-Macdonald eventually works out agreement with Métis

-Accepted by Canadian Govt. becomes known as Manitoba Act (See Key Points 152)

-Province of Manitoba: 15 July 1870

Riel Leaves

-Riel is pleased with Manitoba Act (not clear if he would be charged with the murder of Thomas Scott or other crimes)

-French and Métis see no crime

-English thought he was guilty and want him arrested

-Province of Ont sets up reward of $5000 for his capture

-Others see the crime but think Riel deserves amnesty – to be forgiven

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