FREE ESSAY ON LOUIS RIEL

LOUIS RIEL

Louis Riel should not have been hung because he represented those who couldn't represent
themselves. Louis Riel was disappointed with the way the Metis were, so he took it upon
himself to represent the Metis 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 Metis. 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 Metis 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 Metis. Riel decided to try an unviolent approach this time instead of starting an
all out rebellion. Riel and the Metis 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.
Bibliography
none