Coat belonging to Sir John A. Macdonald
Artifact
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Activities
LOOK
What does this uniform tell us about the person wearing it and the image they want to project? What prompted your answer?
LOOK
Look at this uniform. What do you think it’s made of? Do you think it was an everyday outfit or one worn only on special occasions? Explain your reasoning.
THINK
Do you think this uniform was worn during the London Conference? Explain your answer.
DO
Research clothing of the late 19th century. Now, based on your research, design an outfit that you would wear if you were attending the London Conference. Consider aspects such as colour, fabric, cultural symbols and style.
Details
Date 1850-1856
Materials - Textile
- Silk
- Gilt
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- Sir John A. Macdonald may have worn this uniform during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
- Macdonald believed that Confederation should concentrate power in the federal government, while other Fathers of Confederation wanted the provinces to have more power.
- Macdonald’s legacy is tainted by his government’s efforts to subjugate and assimilate Indigenous peoples.
This civilian uniform, used for official functions, may have been worn by Sir John A. Macdonald during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
Macdonald — the Dominion of Canada’s first prime minister — was one of the leading architects of Confederation.
Macdonald wanted to create a powerful central government in order to avoid internal discord. Other Fathers of Confederation wanted strong provincial governments that would protect the provinces’ distinct identities and interests. This push-and-pull between the federal and provincial governments continues today.
Despite his role in the creation of modern Canada, Macdonald has been criticized for his treatment of Indigenous peoples. While he served as prime minister, Macdonald introduced policies aimed at subjugating and assimilating Indigenous peoples. The detrimental effects of these policies are still felt today.
This civilian uniform, intended for official functions, may have been worn by Sir John A. Macdonald during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
Macdonald — the Dominion of Canada’s first prime minister — was one of the leading architects of Confederation. At the London Conference, one British official described him as “the ruling genius and spokesman” of the British North American delegation.
Macdonald wanted to create a powerful central, or federal, government in order to avoid the internal discord that had, in part, led to the American Civil War. Other Fathers of Confederation, especially those from Quebec and the Maritimes, wanted strong provincial governments that would protect the provinces’ distinct identities and interests. This push-and-pull between the federal government and the provincial governments remains at the root of important issues today — for example, western alienation and Quebec separatism.
Despite playing a critical role in the creation of modern Canada, Macdonald’s treatment of Indigenous people has made him an extremely controversial figure. As prime minister of the Dominion of Canada from 1867 to 1873, and again from 1878 to 1891, Macdonald oversaw the creation and implementation of policies designed to subjugate and assimilate Indigenous peoples. These policies included using starvation tactics on the Prairies to forcibly relocate Indigenous peoples onto reserves so that the land could be cleared for a transcontinental railway, settlement and agriculture. Macdonald’s government also played a critical role in creating and expanding Canada’s Indian Residential Schools system, the detrimental effects of which are still felt today.
- Sir John A. Macdonald may have worn this uniform during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
- Macdonald believed that Confederation should concentrate power in the federal government, while other Fathers of Confederation wanted the provinces to have more power.
- Macdonald’s legacy is tainted by his government’s efforts to subjugate and assimilate Indigenous peoples.
This civilian uniform, used for official functions, may have been worn by Sir John A. Macdonald during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
Macdonald — the Dominion of Canada’s first prime minister — was one of the leading architects of Confederation.
Macdonald wanted to create a powerful central government in order to avoid internal discord. Other Fathers of Confederation wanted strong provincial governments that would protect the provinces’ distinct identities and interests. This push-and-pull between the federal and provincial governments continues today.
Despite his role in the creation of modern Canada, Macdonald has been criticized for his treatment of Indigenous peoples. While he served as prime minister, Macdonald introduced policies aimed at subjugating and assimilating Indigenous peoples. The detrimental effects of these policies are still felt today.
This civilian uniform, intended for official functions, may have been worn by Sir John A. Macdonald during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
Macdonald — the Dominion of Canada’s first prime minister — was one of the leading architects of Confederation. At the London Conference, one British official described him as “the ruling genius and spokesman” of the British North American delegation.
Macdonald wanted to create a powerful central, or federal, government in order to avoid the internal discord that had, in part, led to the American Civil War. Other Fathers of Confederation, especially those from Quebec and the Maritimes, wanted strong provincial governments that would protect the provinces’ distinct identities and interests. This push-and-pull between the federal government and the provincial governments remains at the root of important issues today — for example, western alienation and Quebec separatism.
Despite playing a critical role in the creation of modern Canada, Macdonald’s treatment of Indigenous people has made him an extremely controversial figure. As prime minister of the Dominion of Canada from 1867 to 1873, and again from 1878 to 1891, Macdonald oversaw the creation and implementation of policies designed to subjugate and assimilate Indigenous peoples. These policies included using starvation tactics on the Prairies to forcibly relocate Indigenous peoples onto reserves so that the land could be cleared for a transcontinental railway, settlement and agriculture. Macdonald’s government also played a critical role in creating and expanding Canada’s Indian Residential Schools system, the detrimental effects of which are still felt today.
Summary
- Sir John A. Macdonald may have worn this uniform during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
- Macdonald believed that Confederation should concentrate power in the federal government, while other Fathers of Confederation wanted the provinces to have more power.
- Macdonald’s legacy is tainted by his government’s efforts to subjugate and assimilate Indigenous peoples.
Essential
This civilian uniform, used for official functions, may have been worn by Sir John A. Macdonald during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
Macdonald — the Dominion of Canada’s first prime minister — was one of the leading architects of Confederation.
Macdonald wanted to create a powerful central government in order to avoid internal discord. Other Fathers of Confederation wanted strong provincial governments that would protect the provinces’ distinct identities and interests. This push-and-pull between the federal and provincial governments continues today.
Despite his role in the creation of modern Canada, Macdonald has been criticized for his treatment of Indigenous peoples. While he served as prime minister, Macdonald introduced policies aimed at subjugating and assimilating Indigenous peoples. The detrimental effects of these policies are still felt today.
In-Depth
This civilian uniform, intended for official functions, may have been worn by Sir John A. Macdonald during the London Conference, 1866–1867.
Macdonald — the Dominion of Canada’s first prime minister — was one of the leading architects of Confederation. At the London Conference, one British official described him as “the ruling genius and spokesman” of the British North American delegation.
Macdonald wanted to create a powerful central, or federal, government in order to avoid the internal discord that had, in part, led to the American Civil War. Other Fathers of Confederation, especially those from Quebec and the Maritimes, wanted strong provincial governments that would protect the provinces’ distinct identities and interests. This push-and-pull between the federal government and the provincial governments remains at the root of important issues today — for example, western alienation and Quebec separatism.
Despite playing a critical role in the creation of modern Canada, Macdonald’s treatment of Indigenous people has made him an extremely controversial figure. As prime minister of the Dominion of Canada from 1867 to 1873, and again from 1878 to 1891, Macdonald oversaw the creation and implementation of policies designed to subjugate and assimilate Indigenous peoples. These policies included using starvation tactics on the Prairies to forcibly relocate Indigenous peoples onto reserves so that the land could be cleared for a transcontinental railway, settlement and agriculture. Macdonald’s government also played a critical role in creating and expanding Canada’s Indian Residential Schools system, the detrimental effects of which are still felt today.