The death of Louis Riel is surrounded in controversy. One school of thought argues that his trial was unfair, while the other believes he got what he deserved. The newspapers of the time, even our neighbours to the south (USA) could not help but state their opinions. The following are some quotes from newspapers commenting of the execution of Riel.
"A colossal Government blunder" said the Chicago Current.
"The world will not suffer by the loss of the fanatical leader of Halfbreeds," said the Boston Record.
"The ghost of Louis Riel will haunt Canadian statesmen for many a day," Phiadelphia Inquirer.
Read and then respond to one or more of the above quotes. Do you believe that the execution of Louis Riel was just? Why or why not.
In response to the second quote from the Boston Record,I beleive that Riel should have been executed. Therefore,I beleive that the tone of this quote was harsh but it is coming from the right state of mind. Here is a big reason why: When Louis Riel returned from his 15 year escape, he asked for three big appositions,which were:
ReplyDelete1. Concerns for the Metis, First Nations, and Settlers.
2.Request for responsible government for the North-West.
3. Control over natural resources,representation in Federal Cabinet, and Parliment and Provincal status for saskatewan.
I am sure this had a big impact on the execution of Louis Riel. Finally, since clearly this quote is taking Ontario's side of the argument, this quuote would make sense.
In response to the 1st quote from the Chicago Current. I believe Riel shouldn’t have been killed for these reasons:
ReplyDelete1. He was defending French and Metis rights.
2. He was a high rank in power.
3. He only killed Scott because he was threatening his life.
4. Only took Fort Gary to prove a point; there was no bloodshed.
"The world will not suffer by the loss of the fanatical leader of Halfbreeds," said the Boston Record.
ReplyDeleteIn response to this comment, the important contributions of Louis Riel are not mentioned. Even though he was a rebel and went outside the law he also helped create Manitoba and Saskatchewan. However I think it was appropriate that he was executed because of the violent acts he committed. I think it was just because he committed treason against Canada. He also caused great conflict between Quebec and Ontario. This would all lean down to John A. MacDonald for the fate of Riel. I think he chose the right decision because it would've given more benefits rather than keeping him alive. However either way John A. MacDonald was going to lose votes.
No, I do not think that the execution of Louis Riel was just. I agree with the Chicago Current because he was executed a martyr. He stood up for Métis’ rights in the only way that was possible. When the Métis’ tried to (calmly and peacefully) ask for their rights, the government ignored them. A resistance was the only way that they could be heard. Also, I think that there was racism involved. Riel was a descendent of the founders of Montreal. He was also well educated. He had the social standing and knowledge, but because he was Métis, they hung him. For these reasons, I believe that the execution of Louis Riel was not just.
ReplyDeleteThe execution of Louis Riel was just because he was charged with treason which was an execution no matter what Riel should not get some special treatment. Riel also used Canada’s education and then betrayed the government, he told the Métis to kill Thomas Scott which forced John Macdonald to send the military west so the Métis would not kill more from Ontario people while Riel fled to the USA. After John Macdonald was forced to create Manitoba to keep the Métis under control. Then since there were many houses and farm land were being used the buffalo started moving west so the Métis had to move west because the buffalo was their main food source. Which Riel came back to Canada in 1885 and started the 99 day resistance which was were many lives were lost and there was a lot of blood shed and Riel tuned himself. He created a war which killed a lot of people the execution of Louis Riel was just.
ReplyDelete“A colossal Government blunder, “said the Chicago Current.
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not believe that the execution of Louis Riel was just because he had to suffer for cause. He took a stand for the Métis people and for their rights. Before the resistance came into play the Métis kindly asked the government for what belongs to them and the government simply disregarded them. This initiated the Métis actions. Louis Riel and the Métis made their voice loud and clear. They meant business. They declared an armed resistance. After the 99 day resistance, Louis Riel was hung to what I think was due to the fact that he was a descent of the founders of Montreal. Since Riel was leader of the Métis they had a grudge on Riel, and hung him. From these numerous reasons I strongly believe that the execution of Louis Riel was not just.
"A colossal Government blunder" said the Chicago Current.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the execution of Louis Riel was not just. I think that the government was wrong to execute him for many reasons and therefore I agree with the Chicago Current. First off, Riel was a leader of the Métis and I strongly believe that his main objective was to help the Métis and stand up for their rights and the French rights. Also, the reason Louis ordered Thomas Scott to be executed was because Scott was violent, had a loud mouth, and Scott physically threatened Riel, so therefore he was putting Riel’s life and status in danger. Secondly, he had a main role in the creation of two new provinces: Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Lastly, Louis Riel wanted the best for the Métis people, was angered with the Canadians for not listening to them, and with the way the Métis were being treated. So starting a resistance was the last resort after nothing else worked (i.e. sending petitions, bloodless resistance, etc). Therefore, I strongly believe that the government’s decision to execute Louis Riel was not justified.
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ReplyDeleteABOVE POST IS INCORRECT. PLEASE IGNORE!
ReplyDelete"A colossal Government blunder" said the Chicago Current.
I strongly believe that the execution of Louis Riel was not appropriate. I do believe with the Chicago Current calling it "A colossal Government blunder.” Louis Riel was a man that stood up for the Métis People Rights. For example, he started a Provisional Government to defend the Métis. The Provisional Government then drew up “The Métis Bill of Rights.” He tried his best to make sure that their voices were heard and that they were treated fairly. Also, Riel was very unpleased with the Canadian Government for ignoring the Métis and treating them horribly. They did not start a resistance until there were no other options. It was only way the Métis would be able to get the attention of the Canadian Government after many attempts such as sending petitions. Lastly, if it wasn’t for Louis Riel, Manitoba and Saskatchewan would not be provinces of Canada. He played a huge roll in creating of these two provinces. Therefore, I do not believe that Riel should have been executed. The government's decision cannot be justified.
"A colossal Government blunder" said the Chicago Current.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Chicago Current the Canadian Government made a big mistake executing Louis Riel. Since he was a big part of the expansion of Canada by adding two provinces, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Riel was also the leader of the Métis, he stood up for the Métis rights which meant the Métis saw him as a hero. I believe that the main reason Riel was executed was because he committed treason by betraying Canad by starting the Red River Resistance. I think this was a last resort for the Métis and for Riel. As they just wanted their voice to be heard. They tried sending numerous petitions but the government wasn't listening so they thought the only way to get the Governments attention was to start the resistance. For these many reasons I believe the Canadian Government shouldn't have executed Louis Riel.
Question:
ReplyDelete“A Colossal government blunder.”- Chicago Current
“The world will not suffer by the loss of the fanatical leader of the half breeds.”- Boston Record
“The ghost or Louis Riel will haunt Canadian statesman for many a day.”- Philadelphia Inquirer
Read and respond to one or more of the above quotes
Do you believe that the execution of Riel was just? Why or why not?
Answer:
I am going to discus the reasons why Riel’s death was not just and it was a government blunder.
One – The only thing Riel and his fellow Métis wanted to do was to be heard by the government. Riel had created the Métis Bill of Rights which stated the exact demands that they wanted. The Bill said that the Métis wanted to be a province; they wanted to have their own government and pass their own laws. They wanted to keep there religion, language, rights, privileges and customs to remain after joining with Canada. When Riel sent this to the government ignored it. This was when Riel got mad, but still waited to negotiate with the government.
Two – Riel did not mean for an armed resistance Métis vs. Canada to happen all he wanted was, to be heard. He was killed for something he believed in.
Three – The last and final point is that Macdonald had the last decision, either executing Riel or sparing him. He was under a lot of pressure from Ontario and all the English speaking Protestants. Macdonald made a huge mistake in executing Riel. All the Quebecers were totally against the execution and so was the queen of England. First he lost a lot of voters. Second he killed the leader of the Métis, first nations and settlers, so now he had no one to negotiate with. Third the Quebecers were angry so they would not agree or discus anything with the government.
Answer:
ReplyDelete"A colossal Government blunder" said the Chicago Current.
I absolutely agree with this quote because everything Louis Riel did had a purpose. The Métis were being treated unfairly and taken advantage of. First, the Canadians had granted the Métis rights in the Manitoba Act of 1870 and now they were not living up to them. Riel sent petitions to the government demanding rights but soon became frustrated with the lack of response. Additionally, the execution of Thomas Scott was one of the main reasons for the death of Louis Riel, if Scott had not disrupted the Métis’ way of life by constantly ridiculing their religion and language, violence would not have been necessary. Moreover, two provinces were created because of Riel, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. John A MacDonald should have been pleased with the creation of the provinces as they helped him become closer to achieving his promise to the people, “from sea to sea”. Finally, the present day rights of First Nations and Métis people are still not the best. Even today people are still fighting over land (First Nations reserves). For these reasons I definitely believe that Louis Riel’s execution
was not justified.
Read and then respond to one or more of the above quotes.
ReplyDelete"The ghost of Louis Riel will haunt Canadian statesmen for many a day," Philadelphia Inquirer.
I believe that this quote is saying that the Canadian government was wrong in the executing of Louis Riel and they will pay for doing that. The author of this quote must have been on the side of Louis Riel because he makes what the Canadian government did sound like a horrible crime. In conclusion I agree with this quote because I believe that Louis Riel’s trial was unfair and unjust.
Do you believe that the execution of Louis Riel was just? Why or why not.
I do not believe that the execution of Louis Riel was just because he was standing up for a First Nations group that’s rights were being slowly stripped away. He also helped Canada establish two new provinces, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He also had no intension of having bloodshed in the North-West Rebellion he was only trying to establish territory for the Metis. In conclusion, I believe that what the Canadian government did was completely reprehensible and Louis Riel was a hero and he should not have been killed for standing up for what he believed in.
No i do not believe that Louis execution was just because he was just fighting for his people and trying to grant them what he felt that they deserved. i agree with the quote "The ghost of Louis Riel will haunt Canadian statesmen for many a day," by Phiadelphia Inquirer because it will. McDonald should have never executed him because he was just fighting for what he felt was right and even if McDonald disagreed with Riel's opinion, he could have discussed it more or maybe come to a compromise and not just jump to conclusions.
ReplyDeleteQuote - "The ghost of Louis Riel will haunt Canadian statesmen for many a day," Phiadelphia Inquirer.
ReplyDeleteResponse - I belive that this quote is most reasonable out of the quotes givin. This quote is very true in many ways but the reason this quote stands out to me is because as it says (refrased) "Louis Riels story will be here forever" this is true because even today decades from the time of his death the court statment made is still being thought about in history books and by us today.
“A colossal government blunder” (extracted from Chicago Current)
ReplyDeleteI believe that this statement is correct and it was wrong how the Canadian Government acted. Not to say that Riel was a hero (which he was not) but Riel had helped create a large part of Canada and gave the Métis a name so that even when they die off people will remember them. This (even if the way to it was not the best one) still counts and therefore he should not have been executed. The fact that he was tried in Canadian courts and still won mercy showed that the government was out to get him. However the punishment for high treason IS death so the Canadian Government was not morally correct but if they bended the law for one person they would have to bend it for everyone, so on one point of view you could take it as a bit of an example for every other law breaker out there. In the end I believe that the execution of riel was not just, but for the crimes he committed such as murder and high treason he should have been punished (maybe a life sentence).
Quote: "The world will not suffer by the loss of the fanatical leader of Half-breeds," said the Boston Record.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
Read and then respond to one or more of the above quotes. Do you believe that the execution of Louis Riel was just? Why or why not.
Response: The quote is saying that Louis Riel deserved to be executed for acting against the Canadian Government.
Answer: I believe that the execution of Louis Riel was not a just. Louis Riel did not intend to have violence and bloodshed during the rebellion. He was a devoted and loyal leader of the Métis and only intended to help them fight for their land grants and rights back. He helped to establish the provinces Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He represented the Métis and stood by them because he felt that they were being mistreated and cheated by the Canadian government. When he executed Thomas Scott, he was standing up for the Métis because Scott was making a mockery of the Métis and Louis Riel wanted respect from Canada. Therefore, I believe that Louis Riel should not have been executed and that his execution was not a just.