Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Recent Canadian prime minister
Recent Canadian prime minister
Essay on john a macdonald
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Recent Canadian prime minister
“My sins of omission and commission I do not deny; but I trust that it may be said of me in the ultimate issue, ‘Much is forgiven because he loved much’, for I have loved my country with a passionate love.” - John Alexander Macdonald Sir John Alexander MacDonald was the first prime minister of Canada, and he was truly a “founding father” and “nation builder”. When one is to look back at the history of Canada, one will find that the man have done countless things for the country he is passionate about. He helped bring the provinces of Upper and lower Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick together in 1867 to form Canada, then brought British Columbia, PEI, and the great North West Territories into the Canadian Federation. He established the National Policy, with the intention of creating a “true country with a national economy and political system” (Belanger). A Scottish men,with not only passion, yet also with wisdom and power in politics, drove him and his ambitions for the country at an astounding pace (Canada History). His major accomplishments to Canada also include the system of protective tariffs, the establishment of increased immigration to the west, and the construction of the trans-Canadian Pacific railroad, the three components of his National Policy; which, changed Canada to a very remarkable extent. The very first component of his National Policy is on the tariffs, established in 1879. Up to 1846 and before 1879, there were two tariffs applicable to imports into Canada: an imperial tariff on foreign goods, and a colonial tariff leied on all imports limited to a maximum of 5 percent (Belanger). There was quite a downfall in the Canadian economy when American products were imported with low cost. The tariff o... ... middle of paper ... ... thought that while a political framework had been created in 1867 the dreamed up union could only last if it was cemented by the creation of a strong national economy - one that would run east-west rather than north-south. The future of Confederation, he thought, hinged upon the development of the West. Without such development, the Americans would take over the West, encircle Canada and inevitably bring about its annexation. Hence, the dream of creating a “separate, peaceful and orderly society on the northern half of the continent” would fade away. Without John A. MacDonald, the Canada that one is currently living in would have been very different. Either viewed as positive or negative to different people, he is truly one of the men that influenced Canada the most, and an “agent of change”. After all, he did not receive the name “Father of Canada” for nothing.
It takes many generations for any single country to evolve from its earliest state into what would be considered a "developed" nation. The changes that take place within the country are generally attributed to a small number of visionary individuals. Many people can be accredited for contributing to the progression of Canada. John G. Diefenbaker, conceivably the single most influential person in the history of Canada, played a crucial role in the development of the country, to what it is today. Diefenbaker's work resulted in the redefining of Canada's cultural identity, the creation of major bills and policies within government legislation as well as developing a stance on foreign affairs and many policies dealing with global issues.
The development and implementation of John A. Macdonald’s National Policy was able to accomplish it’s three main goals: completion of the Canada Pacific Railway, the increase in tariffs and import duty to protect resources and industrial interest, as well as expanding immigration to the West of Canada. However, this period of success was also met with many disadvantages as well. The policy put forth for western immigration was discriminatory to francophone Canadians, causing massive emigration to the United States. In addition, the only areas to benefit from the National Policy were the heartland areas from Windsor to Montreal, causing regional innequality in Western Canada and the maritime provinces.
Wallace, W. “The Growth of Canadian National Feeling.” The Canadian Historical Review Vol. 1, No. 1 (March, 1920), pp 136-165.
In fact the place of Sir John A. Macdonald in this country was so large & so absorbing that it is almost impossible to conceive that the politics of this country, will continue without him. His loss overwhelms us. (Swainson, 149)
On September 1, 1864, the Charlottetown Conference was set in motion for Canada’s Confederation.At the conference, John A. Macdonald and George-Etienne Cartier proposed arguments that were in favour of a union of the four colonies.Alexander Tilloch Galt presented the financial arrangements of the Province of Canada’s proposal if there will be such union. In addition, George Brown showed the p...
The economic progress Canada made after the war lead to the growth of the country. New industries emerged from innovations of products like automobiles, radios, television, digital computers and electric typewriters (Aitken et al., 315). Canadians quickly adapted back to the “buy now, pay later” strategy rather than careful budgeting during the Great Depression (Liverant). Almost everything that Canadians did was influenced from new inventions; television was the most influential. Canadians conversations, humour, and lifestyle were influenced from television (Aitken et al., 315). Trade relations between the United States and Canada had become more efficient due to the St. Lawrence Seaway. The mass development of the St. Lawrence Seaway, in 1954, was to provide a large wate...
Thesis: John A. Macdonald became one of Canada’s greatest Prime Ministers because he had an experienced background in both business and politics, he had a powerful role in the Confederation of Canada and he displayed proper etiquette when conducting himself in public.
It takes many generations for any single country to evolve from its earliest state into what would be considered a nation. John G. Diefenbaker can be considered the single most influential person in the history of Canada, . Diefenbaker's work resulted in the creation of major bills freedom of religion, The right to life, liberty and security of the person, and in another section, rights to fundamental justice and policies within government legislation as well as developing a stance on foreign affairs and many policies dealing with global issues.
Sir John A. Macdonald was in the Liberal-Conservative Party of Canada from July 1867 to November 1873. He was elected again from October 1878 to June 1891. Without Sir John A. Macdonald we wouldn’t be part of Canada, there wouldn’t be a Canada. He was the one
John A. Macdonald's National Policy was a central economic and political strategy of the Conservative Party in 1878. It meant that Canada levied tariffs with foreign goods. As well this policy would complete the railway, help encourage immigration and implement important tarifs. This policy was also made so that Canada did not have to compete with the Americans competition. Not only did they not want to compete with America, but Canada was dealing with economic issues, so John A. Macdonald came up with the National Policy to help the country with financial struggle.
Enduring withering criticism for being a closet communist, he set about enacting legislation and putting in place programs consistent with his socially progressive views in order to level the playing field for the Province, and later when he took over as head of the NDP, similarly influencing things at a national level. Although interestingly, while most Canadians would regard Douglas as the ‘Father of Medicare’ and the CBC designated ‘Greatest Canadian’, it was actually ‘his forgotten successor’ who legislated it’.
Macdonald evidently had a positive impact on Canada. Macdonald's contribution to the development of the Canadian nation far exceeded that of any of his contemporaries, yet he was not by nature an innovator. Confederation, the Canadian Pacific Railway, and the protective tariff were not his ideas, but he was brilliant and tenacious in achieving his goals once convinced of their necessity. As a politician he early developed shrewdness and ingenuity. He kept a remarkable degree of personal control over the functioning of the Conservative party and was proficient in using patronage for political advantage. He was a highly partisan politician, partly because he genuinely believed it was essential to maintain certain political courses. He was particularly concerned with maintaining the British connection to Canada —including the tradition of parliamentary supremacy — against the threat of American economic and political influences, such as the doctrine of constitutional
Thompson, John Herd, and Mark Paul Richard. "Canadian History in North American Context." In Canadian studies in the new millennium. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. 37-64.
Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, making it the most recent province to became part of the country. Some historians argue that the delay is diffcult to understand, since Newfoundland had the chance to enter into Canada in 1867. This paper explores why Newfoundland did not join Confederation in 1867 and remained an independent political entitiy. In was not in their best interest given the overarching political debacle which unfolded between the colony’s Conservatives and Liberals. The decision to remain an independent political entitiy or join the federal govenrment was hindered by opposing poltical views. Despite having two men, known today as the Fathers of Confederation, at the Quebec Conference who supported the idea of union, Newfoundland itself did not. A general election to decide the fate of the colony resulted in ongoing dissatisfaction with the idea of joining the new dominion. The question of higher taxation and terrifies that would hinder the success of the colony was a risk people were not yet ready to take. Most of Newfoundland’s core industries began to suffer and fall apart, while the colonies government continued to disagree, despite a concerted effort made by Canadian officials to have them join the larger nation.
Sir John A. Macdonald was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on January 10, 1815. His fathers name was Hugh Macdonald and his mothers name was Helen Shaw. His father had migrated to Glasgow from the town of Dornach. His father was a very pleasant and easy going guy and he alwasys wanted to make everyhting better but he usually made things worst. He was a man that had lots of friends, he would talk a lot and drink too. His mother came from Spey Vally. His mother was a very smart girl, she was like the opposite of his father. His mother and father got married on 1811, and after 8 years they had 5 children, the eldest child died and after John was the eldest. In Glasgow his fathers business wansn't doing that good and he thought that if they would move to upper Canada they would have a better life there. So finally in 1820 they sailed to upper Canada. They arrived at Kingston in mid July, and John was only five years old. When he arrived his thought about Scotland just disapeard. The Macdonald family decided to stay in Kingston. Sir John A. only went to school untill 1829, when he was only 15. His parents couldn't afford to send him to University. He says that if had went to University he wouldn't have went into politics. When he turned 15 Sir John A. articled to a Kingston lawyer, George Mackenzie, so he was learining Law. In 1832 Mackenzie opened a branch office where he put Macdonald in charge of it. Later on he had taken over another law practice i...