preview

Sir John Alexander Macdonald Essay examples

Good Essays

Sir John A. Macdonald was one of Canada's founding fathers. He is most remembered as being Canada's first Prime Minister, running the government from July 1, 1867 until November 5, 1873. Macdonald would become Prime Minister once again on October 17, 1878 and would stay in this position until June 6,1891. While he was leader of the country he faced his own share of political obstacles, including Confederation, the Metis rebellion and threats of an American he is among the greatest leaders Canada has ever seen and played a significant part in the forming of Canada as a country.

John Alexander Macdonald was born in Glasgow, Scotland on January 11, 1815. His family immigrated to Canada (Kingston, Ontario) in 1820, Macdonald was …show more content…

After Macdonald was back in Kingston, Ontario he entered active politics. Kingston was a conservative town, so when Macdonald entered politics he therefore joined the Conservative Party. In 1843 Macdonald was elected an alderman in Kingston, then in 1844 he won an election giving him a seat in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. The members of the Assembly quickly recognized Macdonald?s political abilities, resulting in him being made Receiver General in 1844 for the Conservative Government. This position gave him a seat on the Executive Council in the Province of Canada. The Conservative government of William Draper was defeated a year later so for the next few years Macdonald assisted in the rebuilding of the Conservative Party. ("Macdonald, Sir")

Macdonald felt the key to Canada?s success, as a country, would rely on its connection to its mother country, Britain. Macdonald showed these feelings in his first address to the electors:

I therefore need scarcely state my firm belief that the prosperity

of Canada depends upon its permanent connection with the mother country, and that I shall resist to the utmost any attempt (from whatever quarter it may come) which may tend to weaken that union. ("Macdonald, Sir John") True to her promise, Isabella Clark came to Canada during the summer of 1843. Macdonald and Clark hit it off during the summer and thus got married

Get Access