North-West Rebellion

The North-West Rebellion (or North-West Resistance or the Saskatchewan Rebellion) of 1885 was a brief and unsuccessful attempt by the Métis people of Saskatchewan to establish their own sovereign nation independent of the Dominion of Canada.

Aftermath

Poundmaker and Big Bear later surrendered. The government was able to pacify the natives by sending them food and other supplies; Poundmaker and Big Bear were sentenced to prison, and eight other native leaders were hanged. Riel was tried and hanged as well, sparking a national controversy between French and English Canada.

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The Canadian Pacific Railway played a key role in the Rebellion, transporting federal troops to the area in a fraction of the time that it took to send troops in response Riel's previous rebellion. The successful operation gave the foundering and incomplete railway enough political support to receive sufficient funds to finish the line completely.

Related Topics:
Canadian Pacific Railway

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