Mackenzie, Alexander (1822-1892), served as prime minister of Canada from 1873 to 1878. He was the second person, and the first Liberal, to hold that office.
Mackenzie faced many national economic problems as prime minister, chiefly because he served during a worldwide depression. But he strengthened the new nation by promoting honest, democratic government and greater independence from the United Kingdom. He won respect for his determination, hard work, and honesty.
Mackenzie, a Scottish immigrant, had little formal education. He worked as a stonemason before entering politics, and his appearance reflected his humble background. He had the muscular body and strong hands of a laborer. A reddish beard emphasized his strong chin. Mackenzie spoke with a Scottish accent.
Early life
Childhood and education.
Alexander Mackenzie was born on Jan. 28, 1822, in the village of Logierait, Scotland, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Edinburgh. He was the third of the 10 children—all sons—of Alexander Mackenzie, a carpenter, and Mary Fleming Mackenzie. When Alexander was 10, he began to herd sheep to help support the family. His father, whose health had been poor, died three years later. Alexander then left school to become a stonemason’s assistant.
Alexander continued to read on his own and, in time, gave himself a good education. He finished his training as a stonemason when he was about 20 and got a job on a railroad construction project near Irvine, Scotland.
Emigration to Canada.
In Irvine, Mackenzie fell in love with Helen Neil, the daughter of a stonemason. Her family emigrated to Canada in 1842, and Mackenzie went along. They settled in Kingston, the capital of the Province of Canada. The province consisted of Upper Canada and Lower Canada (the southern parts of what are now Ontario and Quebec). Mackenzie became a builder and contractor, and he and Helen were married in 1845.
In 1847, the young couple moved to what was then the far west of Canada. They settled in Sarnia, Upper Canada. Helen and Alexander had three children, but only one, their daughter Mary, survived infancy. Helen died in 1852. The next year, Mackenzie married Jane Sym, whose father was a Sarnia farmer.
Entry into political life
Member of the Reformers.
Soon after settling in Canada, Mackenzie joined the Reform Party, a liberal political party. He became a follower of George Brown, a Reform leader and the publisher of the Globe in Toronto. In 1851, Mackenzie helped Brown win election to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. Brown in time became the leader of the Reform Party. From 1852 to 1854, Mackenzie edited the Lambton Shield, a newspaper that supported the Reformers. In 1861, he won election to the Legislative Assembly from Lambton County, Upper Canada.
In 1867, several British colonies in North America united to form the Dominion of Canada. Sir John A. Macdonald, the leader of the Conservative Party, became the first prime minister after Confederation. The Dominion’s first elections took place in 1867. Mackenzie won election to the House of Commons, but Brown was defeated. Mackenzie then replaced Brown as head of the Reform Party. He united Reformers and liberals throughout Canada into a new Liberal Party.
Leader of the opposition.
The Conservatives won a majority in Parliament in the 1872 elections, and Macdonald remained prime minister. In 1873, the Liberal Party appointed Mackenzie to the official position of leader of the opposition. This office is held by the head of the second largest party in the House.
Later in 1873, a scandal disgraced the Macdonald administration. Two financial groups had competed for a government contract to build the Canadian Pacific Railway between eastern Canada and the Pacific Coast. The government gave the contract to the group headed by Sir Hugh Allan, the owner of a shipping line. But then it was learned that Allan had contributed $300,000 to the Conservative election campaign of 1872. Mackenzie and other Liberals attacked the Macdonald government throughout the Pacific Scandal, and Macdonald finally resigned. On Nov. 7, 1873, Mackenzie became Canada’s second prime minister.
Prime minister
Reforms.
Mackenzie called for new elections to be held in January 1874. The Liberal Party won a large majority in the House of Commons. Under Mackenzie’s leadership, Parliament took several steps to promote honest, democratic government. For example, it passed laws to prevent dishonest election practices and allow more citizens to vote. It also introduced the secret ballot, which was first used in 1878.
To guarantee honesty in his administration, Mackenzie himself took charge of the Department of Public Works. This department controlled the construction of such projects as railroads and public buildings. It spent more than any other government department—and thus offered the greatest possibilities for dishonesty.
Strengthening the new nation.
Mackenzie’s administration strengthened Canadian autonomy (self-rule) by dealing directly with the United States. Previously, British diplomats had met with representatives of other nations in Canada’s behalf. Mackenzie also established the Royal Military College in 1874 and the Supreme Court of Canada in 1875. These institutions enabled Canada to handle more of its own military and legal affairs.
The Pacific Railway dispute
occurred when the government ran short of time and money while attempting to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1871, British Columbia had become part of Canada on the condition that the transcontinental railroad be started in 2 years and completed within 10 years. Mackenzie asked for more time, and the province threatened to secede from Canada. Mackenzie carried out delicate negotiations to pacify British Columbia. The Canadian Pacific Railway was finally completed in 1885, two years behind schedule.
Economic difficulties and defeat.
Mackenzie served as prime minister during a worldwide depression. With the Canadian economy in a slump, taxes did not provide enough revenue to pay expenses. Mackenzie, following the economic beliefs of his time, reduced government spending and increased taxes. But these steps failed to lift Canada out of the depression.
Hoping to win the confidence of Canadians, Mackenzie called for new elections to be held in September 1878. In the election campaign, the Conservatives attacked Mackenzie’s leadership during the depression. Macdonald called for a “National Policy” that included tariff protection for Canadian industries. This idea appealed to many voters because of the nation’s economic difficulties. The Conservatives won a large majority in Parliament, and Macdonald replaced Mackenzie as prime minister on Oct. 17, 1878.
Later years
Mackenzie was reelected to the House of Commons from Lambton County and again became leader of the Opposition. But the strain of office had damaged his health, and he resigned as Opposition leader in 1880. Mackenzie won reelection to the House three more times. He was still a member of Parliament when he died in Toronto on April 17, 1892.
