David Lei
Ms. Patterson
Sir John A. Macdonald: Triumphs and Failures
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Grade 10 History
CHC2D1-07
It is said that “history is the record of an encounter between character and circumstance” (Donald Creighton). Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald was extremely knowledgeable and charismatic, remembered as one of the most transcendent leaders in Canadian History. Macdonald’s ability to resolve severe circumstances with great political success was extraordinary resulting in great feats during his political career. Some of Mcdonald's most memorable moments included the Confederation Act (BNA Act of 1867), the creation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Pacific …show more content…
Macdonald was one of the Fathers of Confederation that essentially created Canada. John A. Macdonald was born on January 11, 1815, in Glasgow, Scotland. His family migrated to Kingston, Upper Canada, now known as Ontario, Canada in 1820. Throughout his adolescent years, he took interest in law and was well-capable of managing a branch legal office in Naponee by himself at the age of 17. In 2 years he opened his own office in Kingston before entering politics at a municipal level, serving as an alderman in Kingston from 1843 to 1846. At the age of 29, Macdonald took an increasingly active part in Conservative politics and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Canada to represent Kingston. The next year his intelligence and ability became prominent as he defeated W.H. Draper in a general election to become receiver general. From 1848 to 1854, Macdonald aimed to promote the British America League designed to strengthen bonds with Great Britain and unify Canada. Perhaps this principle brought the idea of reform and a coalition government was formed with Sir George Ètienne Cartier, leader of East (formerly Lower Canada) forming the Liberal-Conservative party with Macdonald as its leader. He became the first prime minister of the province in 1857. By 1864 the political and sectional in the provinces were deadlocked, leaving Macdonald no choice but to accept the proposal of his former chief opponent George Brown for a new coalition that included Conservatives, Clear Grits, and Bleus, who would work together for constitutional change. Macdonald and the coalition played a key role in the confederation of British North America in 1867. After conferences in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and London, the BNA Act was passed creating the Dominion of Canada. The original four brought together by Confederation included Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Although each province had its own “anti-confederation” forces, events such as the
Ms. Patterson
Sir John A. Macdonald: Triumphs and Failures
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Grade 10 History
CHC2D1-07
It is said that “history is the record of an encounter between character and circumstance” (Donald Creighton). Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald was extremely knowledgeable and charismatic, remembered as one of the most transcendent leaders in Canadian History. Macdonald’s ability to resolve severe circumstances with great political success was extraordinary resulting in great feats during his political career. Some of Mcdonald's most memorable moments included the Confederation Act (BNA Act of 1867), the creation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Pacific …show more content…
Macdonald was one of the Fathers of Confederation that essentially created Canada. John A. Macdonald was born on January 11, 1815, in Glasgow, Scotland. His family migrated to Kingston, Upper Canada, now known as Ontario, Canada in 1820. Throughout his adolescent years, he took interest in law and was well-capable of managing a branch legal office in Naponee by himself at the age of 17. In 2 years he opened his own office in Kingston before entering politics at a municipal level, serving as an alderman in Kingston from 1843 to 1846. At the age of 29, Macdonald took an increasingly active part in Conservative politics and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Canada to represent Kingston. The next year his intelligence and ability became prominent as he defeated W.H. Draper in a general election to become receiver general. From 1848 to 1854, Macdonald aimed to promote the British America League designed to strengthen bonds with Great Britain and unify Canada. Perhaps this principle brought the idea of reform and a coalition government was formed with Sir George Ètienne Cartier, leader of East (formerly Lower Canada) forming the Liberal-Conservative party with Macdonald as its leader. He became the first prime minister of the province in 1857. By 1864 the political and sectional in the provinces were deadlocked, leaving Macdonald no choice but to accept the proposal of his former chief opponent George Brown for a new coalition that included Conservatives, Clear Grits, and Bleus, who would work together for constitutional change. Macdonald and the coalition played a key role in the confederation of British North America in 1867. After conferences in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and London, the BNA Act was passed creating the Dominion of Canada. The original four brought together by Confederation included Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Although each province had its own “anti-confederation” forces, events such as the