The Complex Legacy of John A. Macdonald: History Essay, University

This essay examines the complex and controversial legacy of John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister. The essay explores the reasons why Macdonald is celebrated as a nation builder, highlighting his role in unifying the country and fostering its political and economic development, including the development of railways and communication systems. It then delves into the criticisms against him, focusing on accusations of cultural genocide, particularly concerning his policies towards Indigenous peoples and his promotion of British rule. The essay also discusses the Pacific Scandal and his alleged drinking problems. Finally, it analyzes the ongoing controversy surrounding statues of Macdonald, specifically the removal of a statue from Victoria City Hall, and offers a perspective on how such historical controversies should be handled, considering the diverse viewpoints on his legacy and the need for a balanced understanding of his impact on Canada. The essay references various sources to support its arguments.

Running head: JOHN A. MACDONALD
JOHN A. MACDONALD
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1JOHN A. MACDONALD
Reason to Celebrate Macdonald:
John A. Macdonald was the first prime minister of Canada. He is regarded as the nation
builder of the country. Manitoba, the North- Western Territories, British Columbia, and Prince
Edward Island had been unified and joined the original four province of the country. The
political discourse and scenario of the country was shaped by his ideas. Macdonald was a
conservative, and he sincerely believed that the connections, the country had with the Britishers
will help the country to grown, and will benefit the country politically and economically. He
worked for the promotion of the British league into the country in order to unify Canada. He was
partially the reason for the formation of liberal Conservative Part, which he led, and further, in
the 1857 he became the prime minister of the country. Under his rule the country had observed a
number of developments, and innovations and employment had taken place. The railroad and the
telegraph system had taken place and the communication between the provinces were developed.
The planning of inter- colonial railways between Québec and Halifax had been developed1.
Therefore, it was during his rule, the concept of unified Canada had come into being. Since he
focused on the promotion of the British rule in the country, it had helped him to ensure
development and safety of the country. America had the potential to invade the country again,
and it was only the British rule, that had kept the country safe from the invasion of the America.
Reason to Criticize Macdonald:
While many of the country men support Macdonald and consider him to be the sole
reason behind the unification of the country, there is another sect of individuals who consider
him to be the one to determine such a fate of the country. The people believe that the cultural
1 "Biography – MACDONALD, Sir JOHN ALEXANDER – Volume XII (1891-1900) – Dictionary Of Canadian
Biography". 2020. Biographi.Ca. http://biographi.ca/en/bio/macdonald_john_alexander_12E.html.

2JOHN A. MACDONALD
genocide that the country had been involved into is primarily and completely because of him,
and his beliefs. The first prime minister of the country had believed that there should be only one
culture pervading across the land, and thus he wanted to unify the people culturally as well, and
for this he is extremely criticized by the people. Along with this, the countrymen have also
criticized him and his rule because as he essentially promoted the British rule in the country and
therefore had justified the same. In one of his speeches he mentioned that he was born as a
British subject and therefore, he will die as a British subject2. This orientation and this belief is
one of the most important reason for his downfall and all the criticisms that had been
accumulated against him. Lastly, the pacific Scandal had also affected his position and
immediately robbed him off of his power3. It was one of the most historically important scandals
of all time, however, he had claimed that his hands were completely clean, and he never profited
personally from the entire projects, however, questions had also been raised upon his drinking
habits and it was claimed that, many of the political problems had been stemmed especially
because of his drinking problems.
Controversy Related to the Statue:
However, recently, the 635 kilogram statue of the nation builder of the country had been
taken down and it had been wrapped around as the people of the country effectively protested
against the celebration and the hoisting of the statue. There was a huge mob outside the Victoria
hall claiming for, tearing down the statue. The basic claim of this angry mob was that, it was
because of the prime minister that the cultural genocide had taken place in the country.
2 Daschuk, James. 2020. "Old Tomorrow’S Bicentennial: Don’T Think Motivation, Think Law". Active History.
http://activehistory.ca/2015/01/dont-think-of-macdonalds-motivation-think-about-the-law/.
3 "'It's Time': John A. Macdonald Statue Removed From Victoria City Hall | CBC News". 2020. CBC.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/john-a-macdonald-statue-victoria-city-hall-lisa-helps-1.4782065.

3JOHN A. MACDONALD
Therefore, they had potentially criticized the celebration of the hoisting of the statue of the first
prime minister of the country. However, while many of the countrymen were of the similar
position that John Macdonald was the prime reason for the cultural genocide top take place, but
at the same time, it was his idea to unify the country politically, socially and culturally. He
wanted to shape the country, and wanted to provide the country an individual identity which will
be acknowledged universally4. Today, if the cultural discourse of the country is observed then
none of the cultural expressions can be claimed to be the culture of Canada, but if the other
countries are considered then it can be seen that each and every country has its own culture
which is preserved by the countrymen. Therefore, there is a huge debate going on, in the country
regarding their first prime minister.
4 Harnett, Cindy E. 2020. "Protesters Gather As Sir John A. Macdonald Statue Is Removed From Victoria City
Hall". Vancouver Sun. https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/protesters-gather-as-sir-john-a-macdonald-statue-
is-removed-from-victoria-city-hall.

4JOHN A. MACDONALD
References:
"Biography – MACDONALD, Sir JOHN ALEXANDER – Volume XII (1891-1900) –
Dictionary Of Canadian Biography". 2020. Biographi.Ca.
http://biographi.ca/en/bio/macdonald_john_alexander_12E.html.
"'It's Time': John A. Macdonald Statue Removed From Victoria City Hall | CBC News". 2020.
CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/john-a-macdonald-statue-
victoria-city-hall-lisa-helps-1.4782065.
Daschuk, James. 2020. "Old Tomorrow’S Bicentennial: Don’T Think Motivation, Think Law".
Active History. http://activehistory.ca/2015/01/dont-think-of-macdonalds-motivation-
think-about-the-law/.
Harnett, Cindy E. 2020. "Protesters Gather As Sir John A. Macdonald Statue Is Removed From
Victoria City Hall". Vancouver Sun.
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/protesters-gather-as-sir-john-a-macdonald-
statue-is-removed-from-victoria-city-hall.