Red River Rebellion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Red River Rebellion Résistance de la rivière Rouge (French)
The Métis provisional government
Date 1869–1870 Location Red River Colony, Rupert's Land, Canada Result Métis political victory Red River Colony enters Canadian Confederation as the Province of Manitoba Canadian military victory The Wolseley Expedition takes control of Fort Garry Louis Riel flees to the United States
Belligerents
Métis Provisional Government	Canada Canadian Party
Commanders and leaders
Louis Riel John Bruce Ambroise-Dydime Lépine	John A. Macdonald William McDougall John Christian Schultz Garnet Wolseley
Casualties and losses
None	1 (Thomas Scott)

The Red River Rebellion was a protest by the Métis people in what is now Manitoba. This happened when the Canadian government bought a large area of land called "Rupert's Land" in 1869. The Métis were worried about losing their homes and way of life.

What Was the Red River Rebellion?

The Red River Rebellion was a time when the Métis people stood up for their rights. They lived in the Red River Colony, which was a community in the middle of North America. This area was bought by Canada from the Hudson's Bay Company. The Métis were worried about what this change would mean for them.

Why Did the Métis Protest?

When Canada bought Rupert's Land, they started to measure the land. Many Métis families did not have official papers to prove they owned their farms. They feared they would lose their land. They also worried that the new Canadian officials would not respect their culture or their Catholic faith. The Métis wanted to protect their language, traditions, and land rights.

Louis Riel and the New Government

In the summer of 1869, the Métis decided to take action. They formed their own temporary government, led by Louis Riel. This government was called the Provisional Government. They sent a list of things they wanted to the Canadian government. This list included protecting the French language and their land.

Manitoba Becomes a Province

After several months of talks, the Canadian government listened to the Métis. In May 1870, the Parliament of Canada passed a law called the Manitoba Act. This act made Manitoba a new province in Canada. The law also included many of the Métis' requests. This was a big victory for the Métis people. However, Louis Riel later had to leave the area.

Images for kids

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  Fort Garry around 1872

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  Louis Riel in 1884

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  Canada after Manitoba became a province in 1870

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  The Red River Expedition at Kakabeka Falls, painted by Frances Anne Hopkins in 1877.