|
In
1867, alarmed by the Fenian raids and
seeking mutual defence against the continuing
American threat, the province of Canada,
divided into Ontario and Quebec, joined
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the
new Dominion of Canada, a self-governing
British colony.
In
1869, Canada purchased enormous tracts
of western land from the Hudson’s
Bay Company and sent surveyors to Red
River. To protect their cultural and
land rights, the Métis (persons
of mixed First Peoples and European ancestry)
formed a provisional government. Led
by Louis Riel, they opened negotiations
with Ottawa and secured provincial status
for Manitoba, but came into conflict
with Ontario settlers seeking immediate
annexation to Canada. British troops,
supported by Canadian militia, undertook
the gruelling Red River Expedition to
establish Canadian control.
|
 |
