1. Louis Riel • Manitoba and Rebellion

2. Rupert’s Land • purchased from the HBC • 1.5 million • official date for the transfer was to be December 1, 1869 • citizens were not consulted… • population was about 12 000 • 10 000 Metis • English-Canadians from Ontario • a few Americans • most people lived along the Red River

3. oh boy… • Metis were worried that the Canadians would take their land and culture away • their fears were realized when surveyors began to plan rectangular townships • when the sale was finalized, the Canadians at the settlement welcomed t hoping for an influx of settlers from Ontario • the Metis felt that this would lead to a destruction of their culture • Louis Riel to the rescue… ?

4. Louis Riel • believed in the Metis cause • spoke fluent English and French • was Metis (half French/half Native) • he was a well-educated, twenty-five year old young lad

5. Oh No They Didn’t… • Ottawa new tensions were growing along the Red River but were not concerned • October 11, 1869 - Riel and his men stopped a government survey near the Red River • a more serious challenge took place on October 21

6. Oh, ya, They Totally Did! • Lieutenant-Governor of newly purchased Rupert’s Land, William MacDougal, was denied entry to the Red River Colony from the United States • Riel seized Fort Garry (Winnipeg) and began planning negotiations with the Canadian government • MacDougal wrongly declared that the HBC was no longer in control of the territory • the Canadian government asked for the transfer of sovereignty to be postponed • so, the Metis created a provisional government

7. A What? • A Provisional Government • a government established when a previous government collapses or is no longer able to rule • Riel took MacDonald’s hesitation in transferring ownership as a void in leadership • so, Riel took over ruling the Red River Settlement

8. Riel’s Government • Riel negotiated directly with the Canadian government to establish Assiniboia (Manitoba) as a province, until…. • THOMAS SCOTT • he had resisted the provisional government • he was imprisoned • there, he abused guards and threatened to kill Riel • he was put on trial, was found guilty and was executed

9. Reactions • Quebec was sympathetic • Riel was seen as a patriot standing up for French-Canadians • Ontario • Orangemen (English protestants) worked against the privileges sought by the Metis • Prime Minister Macdonald refused to recognize the provisional government • he sent negotiators to deal with the Legislative assembly - to which Riel was made President

10. Still Reacting… • Macdonald was pressured to order troops into the Red River to end the rebellion • eventually he did • the journey took over ninety days - they marched the whole way

11. The Manitoba Act • May 12, 1870 • province of Manitoba was created • separate Protestant and Catholic schools • French and English were both official languages • a bicameral legislature • $30 000 yearly subsidy and 80 cent per capita grant until the population reached 400 000