The Canadian federal election of 1878 was the fourth election held after the formation of the Dominion of Canada. The election was held on September 17, 1878, and was contested by two major political parties: the Conservative Party, led by Sir John A. Macdonald, and the Liberal Party, led by Edward Blake.
The main issue in the election was the economic policy of protectionism versus free trade, which had been a key issue in previous elections. The Conservatives continued to promote their National Policy of high tariffs on imported goods to protect Canadian industry, while the Liberals campaigned on a platform of free trade and reduced tariffs.
The election also focused on issues of government accountability and transparency, with the Liberals promising to address government corruption and increase public oversight of government operations.
In the end, the Conservative Party won a majority of seats in the House of Commons, taking 134 of the 206 seats. The Liberal Party won 63 seats, with the remaining 9 seats going to independent candidates. The Conservatives also won a majority of seats in the Senate.
The 1878 federal election was significant for several reasons. It marked the return of the Conservative Party to power after they had been defeated in the 1874 election, and it solidified Sir John A. Macdonald's reputation as one of Canada's most successful and influential political leaders. The election also highlighted the importance of economic policy and government accountability in Canadian politics, with these issues continuing to shape the country's political landscape for years to come.
Another notable aspect of the 1878 federal election was the use of new technologies, such as the telegraph and the printing press, to disseminate news and political information to a wider audience. These technologies allowed political parties to more effectively communicate with voters and to spread their messages more widely than ever before.
During the 1878 Canadian federal election, the party leaders campaigned across the country, visiting towns and cities in an effort to reach as many voters as possible.
Sir John A. Macdonald, the leader of the Conservative Party, focused much of his campaign on Ontario and Quebec, where he believed the party's support was strongest. He delivered numerous speeches in these provinces, emphasizing his party's policies of economic protectionism and nation-building. He also campaigned in western Canada, which was a growing region of the country, and promised to continue the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which was seen as a critical infrastructure project that would help to unite the country.
Edward Blake, the leader of the Liberal Party, campaigned heavily in Ontario and Quebec, which were traditional Liberal strongholds. He also made stops in western Canada, where he promoted his party's platform of free trade and reduced tariffs, which he believed would benefit farmers and consumers. Blake was known for his oratory skills and his ability to engage with crowds, and he delivered many rousing speeches to large crowds during the campaign.
In addition to the party leaders, other prominent figures also campaigned on behalf of their parties. For example, George Brown, the founder of the Liberal Party, campaigned heavily in Ontario and was a key spokesperson for the party's platform of free trade and government accountability.
During the 1878 Canadian federal election, the primary issues and events that dominated the campaign included economic policy, government accountability, and the role of the government in building national infrastructure.
One of the key issues in the campaign was the economic policy of protectionism versus free trade. The Conservative Party, led by Sir John A. Macdonald, promoted their National Policy of high tariffs on imported goods to protect Canadian industry, while the Liberal Party, led by Edward Blake, campaigned on a platform of free trade and reduced tariffs. The two parties debated the merits of these opposing economic policies throughout the campaign, with both sides arguing that their approach would lead to greater prosperity and economic growth.
Another major issue in the campaign was government accountability and transparency. The Liberal Party, in particular, made this a major focus of their campaign, emphasizing the need for increased public oversight and scrutiny of government operations. This issue was particularly salient in the wake of the Pacific Scandal, which had rocked Canadian politics in the previous election and had resulted in calls for greater accountability and reform.
Finally, the campaign also focused on the role of the government in building national infrastructure, particularly the Canadian Pacific Railway. Both parties saw the railway as a critical project that would help to unite the country and promote economic growth, and both sides promised to continue construction of the railway if they were elected.
One notable event during the campaign was the resignation of Alexander Mackenzie, the former leader of the Liberal Party. Mackenzie resigned as party leader in 1876, and his successor, Edward Blake, led the party into the 1878 election. Mackenzie's resignation marked the end of an era in Canadian politics and represented a shift in the Liberal Party's leadership and priorities.
Overall, the 1878 federal election was a significant moment in Canadian political history, with its outcomes and issues continuing to shape Canadian politics for years to come.
Election Party |
Elected Members | # of Candidates | % of Popular Vote | % of Seats |
---|---|---|---|---|
1878 (September 17) - Turnout: 69.1 % | ||||
Conservative | 137 | 53.2 % | 66.5 % | |
Liberal | 69 | 45.1 % | 33.5 % | |
Other | 1.7 % | 0.0 % | ||
Total | 206 | 412 | ||
Government--137, Opposition--69, Majority--68 |
Total - 206 | Conservative | Liberal | Other |
Canada | 137 | 69 | |
PEI | 5 | 1 | |
Nova Scotia | 14 | 7 | |
New Brunswick | 5 | 11 | |
Quebec | 45 | 20 | |
Ontario | 59 | 29 | |
Manitoba | 3 | 1 | |
BC | 6 | - |
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