Riel and Macdonald in Canadian History

Louis Riel was significant in Canadian history as he was crucial for Manitoba entering confederation and led the Red River Resistance, which preserved Metis rights and cultures. Manitoba entered confederation when the Manitoba Act went into effect on July 15, 1870. It symbolized the struggles between inhabitants of the Red River Colony and the federal government. The Resistance’s determination allowed Metis to voice their opinion while entering Confederation. While making the decision to execute Thomas Scott Riel says, “We [Métis] must make Canada respect us.” Riel’s ultimate goal of the resistance was to gain respect from the Canadian government and from that respect, sign into confederation under Métis terms. Louis Riel did not want violence but believed that, “We [Metis] are [were] justified before God and man to arm ourselves to try and defend our existence, rather than to see it crushed” , as said in his diary entry. Riel’s motive is clear. He created the Resistance to defend his people from the Canadian government and preserve his culture, meaning his goal never involved being recognized in Canadian history.