The History of Canada Series: The Destiny of Canada
Mcdonald, Laurier And The Election Of 1891
It was Sir John A. Macdonald's last campaign. His Conservatives had dominated Canadian politics since Confederation. Their National Policy, which protected Canadian manufacturers from foreign competition, was well established and affection for the "Old Man" was deep and widespread. The Liberal leader, Wilfrid Laurier, was new in the job and uncertain that a Roman Catholic from Quebec had any chance of winning votes outside his home province. But Macdonald's decision to hang Louis Riel had split the country, the economy was in the doldrums, and a movement in support of free trade with the United States gave the Liberals hope. In this richly textured narrative, Christopher Pennington spins a colourful tale of a country poised to make a momentous…
CHRISTOPHER PENNINGTON holds a doctorate in history from the University of Toronto. He specializes in the history of Canadian politics and foreign relations, loves teaching, and has taught at U of T, Ryerson University, and Trent University. He lives in Pickering, Ontario, with his family.
