The Republic of Manitobah was a short-lived, unrecognized state founded in June 1867 by Thomas Spence at the town of Portage la Prairie in what is now the Canadian province of Manitoba. During this time the future province was still part of Rupert's Land, a territory owned by the Hudson's Bay Company. It was soon to become a part of the Northwest Territories when Canada purchased Rupert's Land from "the Bay" in 1869. Portage la Prairie (pronounced in English) is a city in the Canadian province of Manitoba. ... Canada is a federation of ten provinces which, together with three territories, comprise the worlds second largest country. ... Motto: Gloriosus et Liber (Latin: Glorious and free) Official languages English (some French services are provided, but French does not have official status at the provincial level) Capital Winnipeg Largest city Winnipeg Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard Premier Gary Doer (NDP) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 14 6 Area Total... Ruperts Land Ruperts Land was a territory consisting of much of modern Canada. ... The Hudsons Bay Company (HBC. TSX: HBC) is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and is one of the oldest in the world. ... Motto: None Official languages Dene Suline, Cree, Dogrib, English, French, Gwichin, Inuktitut, Slavey Capital Yellowknife Largest city Yellowknife Commissioner Tony Whitford Premier Joe Handley (Consensus government - no party affiliations) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 1 1 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked 3rd 1,346,106 km...

As Portage la Prairie had no government, laws or taxation at the time, Spence and a group of local settlers wrote to Queen Victoria asking for recognition as a political entity. There was no reply. Spence organized the community as the "Republic of Caledonia" in January 1868. The name was later changed to the Republic of Manitobah. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837, and Empress of India from 1 January 1877, until her death. ...

The republic never had clearly defined borders, and could not persuade local Hudson’s Bay Company traders to pay their taxes. By late spring 1868, the Republic had been informed by the Colonial Office in London that its government had no power. The Republic's problems were compounded by misappropriation of tax funds, and a botched treason trial. The Republic of Manitobah collapsed before it had a chance to blossom. In law, treason is the crime of disloyalty to ones nation or state. ...

Thomas Spence served in the council for Louis Riel’s Provisional Government, whose actions led to the formation of the Province of Manitoba within Canada on May 12, 1870. Louis Riel Louis David Riel (October 22, 1844 – November 16, 1885), was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. ... A provisional government is an emergency or interim government set up when a political void has been created by the collapse of a previous administration or regime. ... May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

The story of the Republic of Manitobah was made into a humorous animated short by the National Film Board of Canada in 1978, as a part of the Canada Vignettes series. 12 frames per second is the typical rate for an animated cartoon. ... The National Film Board of Canada (usually National Film Board or NFB) is a Canadian public filmmaking organization established to produce and distribute films that inform Canadians and promote Canada around the world. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ...

External links

• Manitoba Historical Society article on the Republic of Manitobah
• IMDb entry for Spence's Republic