John Alexander Macdonald became a lawyer in 1836 and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Canada in 1844. He held various posts, including receiver general, attorney general, and premier of Canada West (Ontario). He was a major driving force behind the creation of the Canadian Confederation. He drafted much of the British North America Act, Canada's original constitution.

Macdonald was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of Canada on July 1, 1867. He was knighted on the same day. In 1868, he negotiated the purchase of the Northwest Territories (Manitoba to the Rockies) from the Hudson's Bay Company for £300,000. Sir John created the province of Manitoba in 1871. In 1871, he persuaded British Columbia to join the Canadian Confederation with the promise of building a transcontinental railroad.

The railway was completed just in time to support Macdonald's plans for the Northwest of the country. He sent Canadian militia troops, via rail, to crush an uprising (resistance) by Louis Riel and the Métis as well as other First Nations. After some early setbacks, the Canadian militia prevailed. Louis Riel was hanged, as were several other native leaders, Chiefs Poundmaker and Big Bear were jailed and the First Nations peoples of the Great Plains were forced onto reserves.

Sir John was still the Prime Minister of Canada when he died at the age of seventy-six.

"It is not the place of government to rule, but rather to govern, letting the citizen ebb and flow on the tides of Justice and Freedom in his own interest, unfettered by unjust laws brought about by hysteria and ignorance."
Sir John A. Macdonald

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