Louis Riel Essay, Research Paper
Louis Riel should not have been hung because he represented those who couldn’t represent themselves. Louis Riel was disappointed with the way the M?tis were, so he took it upon himself to represent the M?tis and their rights. Even though the actions that followed, such as keeping the new governor out the colony, was illegal and very wrong. Riel risked it for the rights of the M?tis. As for Thomas Scott, Riel has absolutely no legal right to have him shot, but Riel himself never touched a gun for that purpose. He had a firing squad shoot Scott. Although, Riel may have ordered the squad to shoot, but the men could have backed down, no matter how powerful Riel seemed. After the rebellion, he was elected by Manitoba to sit in the House of Commons. Riel went to Ottawa but was not allowed to sit as a member in the House, for he was threatened by many to be shot if he appeared in the
House. This was the mistake of the government. They should have sopped the nonsense and threats. For Riel was a man of ideas. He was a man who was knowledged in the government. It was obvious since he formed his own
government. Riel would have been an asset to the Canadian government.
In 1884, Gabriel Dumont rode to Montana and asked Riel to defend the M?tis once again. Riel returned to help the natives once more. Riel was risking capture when he returned. This was a very noble act on his part. Instead of staying nice and safe in Montana, Riel gave up his safety
for the M?tis. Riel decided to try an unviolent approach this time instead of starting an all out rebellion. Riel and the M?tis drew up a petition and presented it to the government. The petition, which demanded more food
and money for the natives, was looked over but not acted upon. The petition was fair in all parts but the government turned it down. It only demanded that what belonged to the natives be returned.
In early 1885, Riel formed another provisional government, and started another rebellion. His followers killed many army troops, but once again it was not the hand of Riel that killed so many. It was of people who had
their own thoughts and intuitions. They could have easily said no to Riel instead of shooting. In which case Riel was not fully responsible for the deaths. After a long rebellion consisting of many battles, Riel gave himself up. It was his actions that stopped the fighting and the killing. A lesser man could not have done such a thing.
Riel was a prisoner of the Canadian government and was brought to trial for his part in the rebellion. During his trial, Riel’s lawyer thought the only way to get Riel out of this mess was for him to plead insanity. Riel would not plead insanity for he did not want his followers to look foolish. It was said, “how could an insane person lead 700 people into a rebellion unless they were all insane?” Louis was a truthful man and would not plead insane because he was considerate as well. Riel believed he had an unfair
jury, as the jury consisted of six english speaking settlers were chosen. Riel’s arguments were not listened to and he died an innocent man. Not guilty of killing many people, treason, forming a provisional government, and standing up for the right of the natives.