Louis Riel / Hero Or Villain?

A detailed Summary of Louis Riel / Hero Or Villain?

There was a period of rapid change in western Canada in the 1870s and 1880s: buffalo herds were exterminated, treaties were signed with the Indians, the Canadian Pacific Railway was built and a wave of immigrants flooded the prairies. Indian and Metis people found it hard to give up their freedom and settle into a lifestyle dependent on agriculture when they had been accustomed to a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The Canadian government seemed unresponsive to the pleas of the Metis people for help. Metis people were not heard in their struggle for the right to their land. Treaty promises were not fully carried out and the Indian agents sent to help the Indians sometimes were arrogant. And their loyal and devoted leader was Louis Riel. His passion for politics burned brightly and that is what made him a natural leader among the Metis.

Louis Riel, a leader of his people in their resistance against the Canadian government in the Canadian Northwest, is perhaps the most controversial figure in Canadian his

l, Riel's lawyer thought the only way to get Riel out of this mess was for him to plead insanity. He personally rejected attempts by his defense counsel to prove he was not guilty by reason of insanity because 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. Murderer? Traitor ?Madman ? Or A man who stood up to bigotry - he was a patriot who fought for democracy for the citizens of Western Canada. Louis Riel was branded a traitor to Canada - but he was no traitor. Riel was martyred -- twice. First he was exiled and in exile became more famous in Quebec than he probably deserved to be. Then he was hanged and his legend grew greater still. He was a patriot who stood up for his people and his beliefs. He was also a victim of prevailing prejudices of his time. Louis Riel should not have been hun!

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Approximate Word count = 675
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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