| The long journey to Confederation was not the end of the political issue for John A. Macdonald. While successfully uniting the four provinces in federation, Macdonald still needed to achieve an electoral mandate from the voters of the new dominion. The test arrived just over two months after Confederation with the first federal election. This thesis examines one of the strategies Macdonald employed to acquire electoral success. Along with Confederation came the many new political institutions including the new federal cabinet. Macdonald utilized his power to appoint ministers to create a group that was diverse and representative, but most importantly, expected to deliver votes to help Macdonald form the government. Once Macdonald could lead the government he could continue the cause of Confederation. |
