The Significance of the Red
River Settlement
Introduction
• What do you remember about the
Rebellions of 1837-1838?
• In the first 18 years of Canada’s existence
there were two more uprisings took place.
• The first was in Red River, which is
present day Manitoba.
The Purchase of Rupert’s Land
(pg. 78)Answer Key
• Canada West wanted control of Rupert’s Land.
Why? (Read pg. 78)
• What happened in 1869?
• How much did Canada pay for it?
• Who did John A. MacDonald appoint to take
control of the region?
The Purchase of Rupert’s Land
(pg. 78) Student Activity
Canada West wanted control of Rupert’s Land.
Why? (Read pg. 78)
-It had economic potential
 What happened in 1869?
-HBC agreed to sell Rupert’s Land to the
government of Canada
 How much did Canada pay for it?
-$1 500 000
 Who did John A. MacDonald appoint to take
control of the region?
-William McDougall

Activity (still pg. 78)
• Put yourself in the shoes of a Métis
resident living in the Red River area.
• In the space provided in your worksheet.
Make a list of all the concerns you have
over the government of Canada moving
into your territory.
Homework and Mini Assignment
• Using the list of concerns you just made
about the government of Canada taking
over your land, write a letter to Sir John A.
MacDonald. In an attempt to convince
him not to send William McDougall to take
over, explain your position using examples
outlined in the text.
The Rise of Louis Riel (pg. 79)
• Who is he? (5 points)
1. Became leader of the Métis in 1869
2.
3.
4.
5.
when he was 25 years old.
Well educated.
Religious
Good Speaker
Born in Manitoba
The Rise of Louis Riel (pg. 79)
• What did he do? (3 points)
-organized the National Committee of the
Métis of Red River.
-told McDougall not to come to Red River
without permission from the committee.
-ordered that McDougall be escorted to the
U.S, border when he came.
The Rise of Louis Riel (Pg. 79)
• What is a provisional government?
-a temporary government put in place until
a permanent one is established.
ACTIVITY
• Read the list of “Métis Rights” on pg. 80 and
1.
2.
answer the following questions in your
notebook.
Do you think the demands of they listed were
fair and realistic? Why or why not?
Do you think the Canadian government would
accept “The Métis List of Rights”? Why or why
not?
The Role of Thomas Scott
• Who is Thomas Scott?
-Protestant from Ireland
-Came to Ontario in 1863
-Among the first Canadians sent to the Red River
-Wanted to Canada to be successful and
resist pressures from the U.S. to take over
-Wanted to Canada to remain part of the
British Empire
The Role of Thomas Scott
• Why was Thomas Scott unpopular with many
people?
He believed that:
-Roman Catholics should have few rights
-Catholics should have not role in
Government
-He told everyone his beliefs and that the Métis
were not fit to be a part of the government.
-He told Canada to ignore the Métis and set up a
government without consulting them
The Role of Thomas Scott
• Why did Riel see Thomas Scott as a threat?
-Scott was a powerful symbol of opposition
to the Métis
-Scott might organize settlers from Ontario
to resist the Métis
• What happened to Thomas Scott?
-he was arrested by Riel’s provisional government,
found guilty of treason and executed in 1870
• What is treason?
-an act of betrayal or disloyalty to one’s country or
government
The Future of the Métis
• What happened to Riel and the Métis
people after Thomas Scott was executed?
-hostility towards Riel
-government considered Riel a criminal
-Riel fled to the U.S.
-Riel’s followers went to Saskatchewan
-Some Métis stayed in the Red River
-Their traditional way of life was destroyed
-The Métis adapted to a new way of life
Three New Provinces
• By the end of 1869, Canada was made up
of four provinces namely Ontario, Quebec
, New Brunswick , and Nova Scotia.
• The entry into Confederation of Manitoba
(1870), British Columbia (1871),and Prince
Edward Island (1873) Manitoba Act 1870
Manitoba
• The Manitoba Act of 1870 led to the creation of the fifth Canadian
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province. The act was the first federal Act to recognize the
importance of bilingualism.
The province is very small and confined to area around Red River
just over 39,000 km, (today Manitoba occupies 647 -797 km )
The languages spoken are __________ and __________.
There were ______________ and ___________ school paid for by
the government.
Only religious education was guaranteed not English or French
language education.
Federal Government retained control over lands and resources in
Manitoba
The province was so small that it was called the “postage stamp
province”.
North-West Territories
• 1870 – Britain transferred control of the North-
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Western Territory to Canada. The area was
combined with Rupert’s land to become the
Northwest Territories.
North-West Territories had no legislature of its
own, it was governed directly by Ottawa until
1867 when a lieutenant –governor and a
council was appointed.
In 1886, the territories had seats in the federal
government .
British Columbia • What is the meaning of panning for gold?
• Discuss the debate/discussion that occurred
•
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before British Columbia could join Canada and
not America in 1871.
When British Columbia joined Canada, it was a
long way away from the rest of Canada and the
only rail link with the rest of Canada was
through the U.S.
How could the province trade with Ontario and
Quebec in this situation?
Prince Edward Island
• In 1867, Prince Edward Island declined
joining the new nations during
Confederation.
• With your elbow partner discuss the likely
implications of this decision.
• Think about the reasons that may lure PEI
to join Canada if they ever joined, share
your thought with your seating partner.