There is always one person who is responsible for keeping everything under control. This refers to a Métis-born leader widely known as Louis Riel, who is one of the most prominent, yet one of the most controversial figures of Canada during the Red River and the North-West Rebellions. I respectfully disagree that Louis Riel is guilty of high treason, who instead should be granted clemency and not be executed. Although some people may believe this is wrong, they are oblivious of his outstanding accomplishments, such as defending the Métis rights, taking good risks and action, and shaping the province of Manitoba. Louis Riel, a daring man who possesses the qualities of a dominant leader, should be looked upon as an inspiring hero for …show more content…
As many already know, Louis led two main rebellions against the Canadian government, known as the Red River Rebellion in 1869; the time when the Métis were in the threat of losing all their land, and the Northwest Rebellion in 1885; the time when Louis and the Métis took their final stand in Saskatchewan. In addition to this, Louis Riel and his men captured and executed an aggravating English man named Thomas Scott, who was fighting against Métis rights. Tom declared, “You? A bunch of Catholic half-breeds? It would be a sunny day in hell before I’d do a thing you tell me to. What can you do to me you haven’t done already? You and your bunch of cowards don’t scare me one bit.” The continuous threats and malicious remarks had to be put to a stop, therefore leading to his execution he rightfully deserved. His bold acts of rebellion against the government were only out of passion and out of reasons to save the Métis independence. Due to these occurrences, it had established a vital point in Canada that wouldn’t have happened if he never stood up for the Métis. He formed the province of Manitoba. Without the recent rebellions and uprisings, would Manitoba be what it is today? On December 8, 1869, the Provisional government was set up by the Métis. With this already in hand, the government was able to write the Métis Bill of Rights, a list of what the Red River Colony desired to join confederation. Finally, on July 15, 1870, the
He had his own lawyers from Quebec, they suggested that the only way to save him from the death penalty was to attempt to prove to the jury that Riel had delusions that cause him to make religious and political decisions without being aware of his doing, and all his crimes are unintentional. But this attempt had failed soon after a medical examination. There was no exception of Louis Riel’s fate. Riel was sentenced to be hanged on 18 September by the judge. Before his death, he tried to show to the government that all Metis and Indians would not rebel for no reason. In fact, they were mistreated by
At Batoche, Riel told the people that no peaceful solution was possible, he believed that the Canadian government wanted to be at war. He concluded his speech with, “Justice commands us to take up arms.” Riel at this point was announcing war with the government. By calling these orders, Riel caused more violence than there should have been. At Duck Lake, five Metis and one First Nations person were killed along with 12 NWMP officers and another 25 were wounded. This battle was seen as the beginning of the Northwest Uprising. All of these battles caused the loss of many lives, which could have been prevented, if a peaceful solution could have been found. Riel led the Metis to continue fighting against their country until they were short of bullets and were forced to surrender. Riel not only acted on his conspiracies against the government, but his conspiracies lead to battles which caused a large loss of
Louis Riel should have remained innocent because the government is to blame. Riel made peaceful attempts to improve the Metis' social status and prompt the Canadian government of their presence. Riel wrote many letters of concern to the government which were completely
In Canadian history, nationalism and sovereignty tend to be common themes prevalent since Confederation. A well-known example of this in Quebec was during the Quiet Revolution which strengthened the need for change through Premier Lesage’s reforms and in turn, developed a strong sense of nationalism in Quebec. In contrast to beliefs that the rapid modernization of the Quiet Revolution had a positive impact on Quebec, it rather had a negative impact on Quebec and its citizens and identity. The three consequences which arose in Quebec as a result of the revolution are the encouragement of separatism, the elimination of traditional values and roles and the establishment of powerful bureaucratic control. Quebec’s attempt to be more like the
Nobody deserves to be a ‘nobody’: unrecognized and unappreciated for their uniqueness. This is the reason why throughout history, Canada has been working to make sure that the Métis are not ‘nobodies’. Canada has provided enough recognition for Métis culture and rights through existing legislation. Historically, the Canadian government, or Dominion of Canada, has acted upon efforts to protect Métis land through legislation. Furthermore, Métis inherent rights to land, hunting, fishing and autonomy have been met with current and improved legislation. The Métis are now recognized as Aboriginal peoples and share the same rights through Section 35 of the Constitution. These pieces of legislation make it possible
Although Canada can be defined as a nation state, its vast landscape means many people are faced with different views and mindsets. Source one simply shows the differences within the nation of Canada. Eastern and Western Canada, because of their geographical differences, can be faced with contending loyalties when it comes to some nations aspects of life. Different lifestyles under the same set of government creates a physiological barrier between a nation. The source also shows the differences in Quebec nationalism compared to the rest of Canada. Some groups like the FLQ or the Front for Liberation of Quebec are known for their extremist views of Quebec nationalism. The small group called the FLQ was active in the 1960’s and 1970’s and they
The Manitoba Act said that Manitoba could send in 4 member to the House Of Commons and 2 members into the Senate. It also declared that 560 000 hectares of land would be kept for the Metis families and that of people could use French or English in schools and government.
Riel was determined to protect the rights of everyone in the settlement. When the Canadian Party was armed and prepared to attack, he imprisoned them by force. The belligerent Thomas Scott was executed by a majority vote. Then Riel decided to negotiate with the Canadian government, which at first refused to recognize him. Undaunted, the provisional government drafted a proposal for the creation of the province of Manitoba. Unfortunately, the leader of the Canadian Party escaped and reached Ottawa first, spreading prejudicial news of the execution and creating outrage. The delegates from Red River had a hard time getting recognition from Macdonald's government, but eventually their case was heard and agreed upon. The Manitoba Act was created granting land rights, as well as making two official languages and education systems. Overall, the Red River Rebellion was a success, but they could've used more peaceful means when dealing with the Canadian Party, especially since they didn't act beforehand. The Red River Rebellion did not end all of the Metis problems though.
To begin, Louis Riel wanted to negotiate with the Canadian government to create the province “Manitoba”. Mr. Riel wanted a province because a province had much greater control over its own affairs than did a territory. On July 15, 1870, the Manitoba Act went into effect. Through this act, Canada’s fifth province, Manitoba, came into being. Many of the points from the Metis Bill of Rights became part of the Manitoba Act. Mr. Riel had been working towards creating a province, it has been
He reblled against the government as they were trying to take his peoples rightful land. By the metis, he is a hero. No matter the consequences he stood up for their rights which led him to his death leaving children behind. By others he is labelled as a traitor or a killer after an ordeal with a man named Thomas Scott. Scott was an unruly, racist, and mean prisoner who had several confrontations with Louis Riel. Unsurprisingly, Louis Riel notified officials which ultimatley led to Scott's execution, to this day people still blame Riel for Scotts death. Despite the contriversy Louis Riel will remain as a Metis Hero and founder of the province Manitoba even with the lable "traitor" on his grave. This man has sacrificed his Family, his job, his sanity, and even his own life to defend what he believed was right and for that, many people will be forever grateful. Unfortunatly Louis Riel's legacy will not impact the future as Metis still have few rights but he will always be a referrence andwill continue to do his job which is spreading awareness on this famous political
Louis Riel was one of the most controversial figures in Canadian history, and even to this day – more than a century after his execution – he continues to be remembered. Many believed him to be a villain; others saw him as a hero. So who was he really? Born in St. Boniface at the Red River Settlement of Canada (present-day Winnipeg, Manitoba) on October 22, 1844, Louis Riel hoped one day to follow his father’s footsteps and become a great Métis leader just like him. Eventually, Riel was seen as a hero to the French-speaking Métis. In the Canadian West, however, most people regarded him as a villain due to his execution in 1885. Nevertheless, Louis Riel was not really a villain by heart; only a flawed man who made many mistakes in his life.
Pierre Trudeau is the greatest Canadian of the twentieth century due to the fact that he declared Canada’s independence from Great Britain, he abolished the death penalty, and he created the Official Languages Act, making our nation entirely bilingual.
Pierre Elliot Trudeau was arguably one of the most vivacious and charismatic Prime Ministers Canada has ever seen. He wore capes, dated celebrities and always wore a red rose boutonniere. He looked like a superhero, and often acted like one too. Some of the landmark occurrences in Canadian history all happened during the Trudeau era, such as patriating the constitution, creating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the 1980 Quebec Referendum. However, it is Trudeau’s 1969 “white paper” and the Calder legal challenge which many consider to be one of his most influential contributions to Canadian history.
"We must cherish our inheritance. We must preserve our nationality for the youth of our future. The story should be written down to pass on." (Louis Riel, 1884). Louis Riel, a man of great nature and abiding love for his western Métis heritage, is proven to be one of the most revolutionary men looked upon in the chronicles of the Dominion of Canada. In spite of this, he remains as one of the most controversial and cryptic figures throughout the course of Canadian history. A period of revolution lasting from the 1870’s to the late 1880’s was condemned with constant revolts justified as an intervening year for those involved. Louis Riel is regarded as a hero by preserving the civil liberties and identities of the Métis and leading two
During the twentieth century, Canada as a nation witnessed and endured several historical events that have had a deep and profound influence on Canadian politics. The most influential and constant force in twentieth century Canadian politics has been the increasing power and command of Quebec nationalism and the influence it has had on Canadian politics today. Quebec nationalism has shaped the structure and dynamics of Canadian federalism from a centralized to a decentralized form of federal government (Beland and Lecours 2010, 423). The decentralization of several sectors within the Canadian government has been a direct effect of Quebec nationalism. Decentralization has led to more autonomy among the provincial governments, especially in