What Are The Causes Of The Red River Rebellion

Sir John A. Macdonald had a national policy, he wanted to create a country all across the west. The first province that was created was Manitoba on July 15, 1870. This was not an easy process because the Metis occupied much of the land around the Red River and Rupert’s Land. Due to this the Red River Rebellion occurred where the Metis tried to defend their land and make negotiations with the Dominion of Canada. Negotiations were made with the Metis and the Red River Rebellion concluding with the creation of Manitoba.
Canada wanted to extend their borders west. One of the main reasons for this was the population was growing rapidly in the Dominion of Canada. As well, buffalo hunters continued to compete with the HBC and travelled to St. Paul,
As these deals proceeded they did not consult First Nations, Metis or the Inuit. The HBC received three hundred thousand euros in return to giving the land back to the British Crown. They also received lots of land. On December 1, 1869 Canada gained control over Rupert’s land. However, surveyors were sent by the minister of public works, William Mcdougall to the Red River as soon as the agreement for Rupert’s Land was concluded. The residents were uninformed of the surveyors and had no warning on when they came to survey boundaries on their land. Tension arose as they trespassed on farms and only spoke english which made it hard to communicate. On October 11,1869 a Metis farmer, Andre Nault, tried to prevent surveyors from entering their land and when the surveyors ignored him neighbours arrived including, Louis Riel. The group stepped on the chain stopping the surveyors. Following this occurrence the Metis got together to discuss strategies on how to deal with Canadians, this group became known as Comite National Des Metis. They wrote a letter to William McDougall stating they had no right to enter their land without permission from the Comite. However this did not help, McDougall and armed officials still tried to enter Red River but were met by a group of Metis who were also armed. The Canadian trespasser were escorted across the American border
The Canadian Militia took control in an area known as the “reign of terror.” The militia was made up of mostly orangeman who wanted to punish the provisional government for Scott’s execution. However, the provisional government including Riel knew the militia was coming so they fled. Riel escaped to St. Joseph’s which was across the American border. Even though the provisional government had left it did not stop the militia from beating, threatening, raping and harassing other Metis people. Metis residents began to avoid Fort Garry. The Canadian government and the military commanders did not do anything to stop this outrage. When Archibald, the lieutenant governor arrived he tried to restore peace but it was unsuccessful. As they waited for the first election Archibald made up a temporary government. The Dominion of Canada made an amnesty which pardoned members of the provisional government besides Riel and Lepine who were responsible for Scott’s