How did the Thomas Scott affair affect relations between French speaking Canadians and English speaking Canadians?

The Thomas Scott affair had a significant impact on the relations between French-speaking Canadians and English-speaking Canadians. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. Background: Thomas Scott was an Irish Protestant who moved to Canada. He was involved in the Red River Rebellion, a resistance movement against the Canadian government's surveying of land inhabited by the Métis, a group of mixed French and Indigenous heritage.

2. Execution: Scott was captured by Louis Riel, the leader of the Métis, and was executed after a controversial trial in 1870. This execution was seen as a direct challenge to the Canadian government and caused a significant uproar, particularly among English-speaking Canadians.

3. Reaction in English Canada: English-speaking Canadians, especially those in Ontario, were outraged by Scott's execution. They saw it as a lawless act of rebellion and demanded that the federal government take action against Riel and his followers. This led to a military expedition to Manitoba, the province where the rebellion took place.

4. Reaction in French Canada: In contrast, French-speaking Canadians, particularly in Quebec, sympathized with Riel and the Métis. They saw Riel as a defender of French and Catholic rights against an aggressive, predominantly English-speaking government.

5. Long-term Impact: The differing reactions to the Thomas Scott affair deepened the divide between French and English-speaking Canadians. It highlighted the cultural, religious, and linguistic differences between the two groups and led to increased tension and mistrust. This event is often cited as a key moment in the development of distinct French and English Canadian identities.