CPR Important People and Events
The CPR Important People and Events
John A. Macdonald- used the railway to get votes to be re-elected. It was part of the National Policy, which was the basis of the Conservative election platform. The government didn’t have the resources to complete such a big project and decided to offer incentives to wealthy business and railway owners who might’ve financed the construction. It took two years after being elected to find investors. In 1880 Macdonald made an offer to the group of investors $25 million in cash, a land grant of 25 million acres, and a monopoly, in return to complete the railway within 10 years.
Alexander Mackenzie- thought the railway was a waste of time and money. He took to office right as a major economic depression hit North America. He was bound to Macdonald’s promise of a rail link to BC. BC politicians threatened to secede from Confederation if the railway wasn’t built. Mackenzie allowed the land survey to continue which gave the impression he was doing something about the railway.
Hugh Allan- the only Canadian with the means to take on a transcontinental railway. He had made his fortune in shipping, manufacturing, and railways in Eastern Canada. Formed the CPR Company, which was controlled by Jay Cooke, an American. If word leaked that Americans controlled the Canadian railway, the project would be killed.
Sanford Fleming- Director of surveying for BC. Sent dozens of surveyors into BC, who brought back valuable information. Created the first accurate map of the interior of Bc, but also led to serious disagreements about who would be affected with the building of new roads and bridges. Debates known as “the Battle of the Routes.” A route Fleming favoured appealed to mainland politicians in BC, but was not liked by others in the province.
William Van Horne- Syndicate needed a new general manager for the railway and chose Van Horne. Quickly he energized the CPR. With him in charge, the CPR could be completed within the
John A. Macdonald- used the railway to get votes to be re-elected. It was part of the National Policy, which was the basis of the Conservative election platform. The government didn’t have the resources to complete such a big project and decided to offer incentives to wealthy business and railway owners who might’ve financed the construction. It took two years after being elected to find investors. In 1880 Macdonald made an offer to the group of investors $25 million in cash, a land grant of 25 million acres, and a monopoly, in return to complete the railway within 10 years.
Alexander Mackenzie- thought the railway was a waste of time and money. He took to office right as a major economic depression hit North America. He was bound to Macdonald’s promise of a rail link to BC. BC politicians threatened to secede from Confederation if the railway wasn’t built. Mackenzie allowed the land survey to continue which gave the impression he was doing something about the railway.
Hugh Allan- the only Canadian with the means to take on a transcontinental railway. He had made his fortune in shipping, manufacturing, and railways in Eastern Canada. Formed the CPR Company, which was controlled by Jay Cooke, an American. If word leaked that Americans controlled the Canadian railway, the project would be killed.
Sanford Fleming- Director of surveying for BC. Sent dozens of surveyors into BC, who brought back valuable information. Created the first accurate map of the interior of Bc, but also led to serious disagreements about who would be affected with the building of new roads and bridges. Debates known as “the Battle of the Routes.” A route Fleming favoured appealed to mainland politicians in BC, but was not liked by others in the province.
William Van Horne- Syndicate needed a new general manager for the railway and chose Van Horne. Quickly he energized the CPR. With him in charge, the CPR could be completed within the