John A. Macdonald

Regular price €18.50
19th century
A01=Ged Martin
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Agnes Macdonald
alcohol
Author_Ged Martin
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Biography
Brown
Canada
Canadian Studies
Category1=Non-Fiction
Category=BGH
Category=DNBH
Category=HBJK
Category=HBLL
Category=NHK
Confederation
COP=Canada
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George
history
John A. Macdonald
Kingston
Language_English
Macdonald
marriage
Ont.
Ontario
PA=Available
politics
Price_€10 to €20
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Scots in
softlaunch
Upper Canada

Product details

  • ISBN 9781459706514
  • Weight: 297g
  • Dimensions: 139 x 215mm
  • Publication Date: 08 Aug 2013
  • Publisher: Dundurn Group Ltd
  • Publication City/Country: CA
  • Product Form: Paperback
  • Language: English
Delivery/Collection within 10-20 working days

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A biography of Canada’s first prime minister, a legendary political strategist who helped found a new nation in 1867.

Shocked by Canada’s 1837 rebellions, John A. Macdonald sought to build alliances and avoid future conflicts. Thanks to financial worries and an alcohol problem, he almost quit politics in 1864. The challenge of building Confederation harnessed his skills, and in 1867 he became the country’s first prime minister.

As "Sir John A.," he drove the Dominion’s westward expansion, rapidly incorporating the Prairies and British Columbia before a railway contract scandal unseated him in 1873. He conquered his drinking problem and rebuilt the Conservative Party to regain power in 1878. The centrepiece of his protectionist National Policy was the transcontinental railway, but a western uprising in 1885 was followed by the controversial execution of rebel leader Louis Riel.

Although dominant nationally, Macdonald often cut ethical corners to resist the formidable challenge of the Ontario Liberals in his own province. John A. Macdonald created Canada, but this popular hero had many flaws.

Ged Martin is a graduate of Cambridge University. Awarded the United Kingdom's first chair in Canadian studies by the University of Edinburgh, he is the author of Britain and the Origins of Canadian Confederation, 1837–67 and Favourite Son? John A. Macdonald and the Voters of Kingston 1841–1891. He is adjunct professor of history at National University of Ireland Galway.