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48 A Nation Transformed
A Nation Transformed
In 1871, Sir John A. Macdonald saw his vision of connecting Canada by rail crucial in order to fortify the nation economically, and to save western regions from American expansion. Macdonald declared, “Until this great work is completed, our Dominion is little more than a geographical expression.” Macdonald faced many obstacles including impeachment in 1873 for being a participant in a large political scandal involving
rail contracts. Other stumbling blocks included finding routes which crossed uncharted mountains and rugged terrains, the back-breaking construction of bridges and tunnels, and cultural issues with aborigines.
TfffNonetheless, Macdonald overcame these challenges, was re-elected into office in 1878, and successfully saw his “national dream” realized. The completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was
last rail line built in the link between the west and east coast of Canada. The completion of CPR tracks in British Columbia in 1885 convinced the region to join the confederation. Canada was unified. This event helped to elevate Macdonald as one of the most important men in Canadian history.
Railway Mania
Railways transformed the economy of
early Canada. They offered a quicker, less expensive and more dependable mode
of moving merchandise to an expanding marketplace. They set off a burgeoning increase in industrialized agriculture plus product distribution. In turn, this fed an expansion of manufacturing and the birth of supporting service industries. Employment proved to be more abundant, not just in
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Sir Donald Smith drives in the last spike on the
Canadian Pacific Railway, Craigellachie, British Columbia, November 7, 1885.
William Van Horne
Sandford Fleming
Donald John James Smith McTavish Ross