Northwest Rebellions

Causes of the Canadian Northwest Rebellions

Canada, throughout its rich history has been fortunate to have a minimal number of violent conflicts occur on its soil. Although in fact, Canada has participated in a wide variety of wars and battles around the world, domestic violence and war within the country itself is rare and many years in the past. The Northwest Rebellion of 1885, by the Métis people of Canada was the rare exception to this trend, and what occurred was a bloody series of conflicts spearheaded by the rebel leader Louis Riel. Widely considered Canada’s first terrorist, he lead the Métis and Cree people into war against the Canadian government, fighting for equal rights in a quickly growing new world. In order for a rebellion of the magnitude of the Northwest Rebellions, there were a series of occurrences and disputes prior to 1885 which can be examined as the causes. The conflict itself lasted under a year, with the battles ranging mainly in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the surrounding region. The major base of operations for the Métis and Cree people was the settlement of Batoche, located on the South Saskatchewan River. It was here where Louis Riel would form most of his battle plans and schemes for trying to take down the federal government. The battles ranged from direct conflicts such as the Battle of Frog Lake, to indirect raiding affairs including the Raiding of Battleford. In this instance, the white settlers saw the Métis and Cree marching towards them and simply left their house, there was no actual conflict. Other conflicts would ensue, most notably the battles of Batoche, Fishermen’s Butte, and the concluding event of Loon Lake. In order for such a series of events to take place, there had to be prior occurrences which caused the disagreement. The causes of the Northwest Rebellions can be examined in terms of the Red River Rebellion, the Canadian Pacific Railway and its concern for the Métis as well as Native peoples, and finally the...