1869-1870RED RIVER REBELLION

Louis Riel

KEY FIGURES

John A. Macdonald

KEY FIGURES

William McDougall

KEY FIGURES

- 1868: Tension over sale of Rupert’s Land by HBC to Canada w/o consultation with Metis

- -Land surveyors

MAIN CAUSE

-October, 1869 – surveyors seen on Metis land

-Riel and friends go out to meet them on horseback

-one of the Metis men stands on surveyor’s chain

-Metis form “National Metis Committee” to fight for their land & rights

MAIN EVENTS

-Metis tell McDougall“You’re not welcome

here!”

-McDougall ignore Metis warning

MAIN EVENTS

-National Metis Committee – seize Upper Fort Garry

MAIN EVENTS

Metis wanted to negotiate entry into Confederation with THEIR rights observed.

Provisional Government

MAIN EVENTS

The Metis hoped their Provisional Government would

-give them a voice

-prevent McDougall from giving total control of Red River to the Canadian Party

MAIN EVENTS

postponed transfer of Rupert’s Land, sent

letter to McDougall (who didn’t get letter)

MAIN EVENTS

An assumption of the Government by you, of course, puts an end to that of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s authorities… There would then be, if you were not admitted into the

Country, no legal government existing… it is quite open by the Law of Nations for the

inhabitants to form a Government… for the protection of life & property, and such a

Government has certain sovereign rights…

- Sir John A Macdonald to William McDougall

MAIN EVENTS

Proclaimed himself governor, then crossed back into United States

This gave the Provisional Government authority over the area

MAIN EVENTS

Early December, 1869

-fearing racist, French-hating McDougall might give control to Canadian Party, Riel sent army of Metis to arrest (Dr.) John Schultz & 48 supporters-confined to Ft. Garry

MAIN EVENTS

Macdonald – sends Donald Smith (HBC) to negotiate w/Riel

MAIN EVENTS

Smith goes to carry the olive branch. We must not think of military force until peaceable means have been

exhausted. Should these miserable half-breeds not disband, they must be

put down.

-Sir John A. Macdonald

MAIN EVENTS

Upon arrival in Red River, Jan. 1870:-Smith agreed w/Riel to send Metis negotiators to Ottawa (+)

-John Schultz and some fellow prisoners escaped Fort Garry (-)

MAIN EVENTS

Thomas Scott

MAIN EVENTS

There is no doubt that he [Scott] would have been

spared and let out when we were, had he behaved himself

- George Sanderson, member of the

Canadian Party

MAIN EVENTS

Death of Thomas Scott marked end of threat of war between Metis and

Canadian Party

By end of Jan. 1870, Metis and Canadian Party members went to

Ottawa to negotiate the creation of Manitoba

MAIN EVENTS

CREATION OF MANITOBA

Colonel Garnet Wolseley

RESULTS

RESULTS

Louis Riel fled to U.S.