scott's execution led to the wolseley expedition – a military force said to be sent to protect canada from american annexation, but widely believed to confront louis riel and the métis at the red river settlement, authorized by sir john a. macdonald. thomas scott's execution highlights a time of severe conflict between settlers and the métis in canadian history. louis riel's reason for killing thomas scott was that thomas scott was a racist man. his execution led to riel's exile, and to riel's own execution for treason in 1885.