Historedia
Person

Alexander Mackenzie

Events
5
Episodes
9
Years
1789–1878

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Alexander Mackenzie, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Mackenzie Reaches the Mackenzie River Delta

    1789

    Role: Explorer and fur trader who descended the Dehcho (Mackenzie River) in 1789 on behalf of the North West Company

    1. 3 July 1789 · Dehcho (later Mackenzie River)Mackenzie Descends the Dehcho

      Mackenzie set out by canoe on 3 July 1789, hoping the Dehcho would lead to Cook Inlet in Alaska.

  2. Alexander Mackenzie reaches the Pacific

    1792–1793

    Role: Expedition leader; Scottish explorer and fur trader who completed the crossing

    1. 1792–1793 · Peace River route to the Continental DivideAscent of the Peace River to the Continental Divide

      Leaving Fort Fork on 9 May 1793, Mackenzie followed the Peace River, which he travelled up in 1792 and 1793 to the Continental Divide.

    2. 10 October 1792 · Fort ChipewyanDeparture from Fort Chipewyan

      Mackenzie left Fort Chipewyan on 10 October 1792 with guides, his cousin, six voyageurs, and a dog.

    3. 1793, before 20 July · West Road River, Coast Mountains, and Bella Coola River grease trailCrossing by the Grease Trail

      Directed to a grease trail, Mackenzie ascended the West Road River, crossed the Coast Mountains, and descended the Bella Coola River.

    4. 20 July 1793 · North Bentinck Arm at Bella Coola, British ColumbiaReaching the Pacific at Bella Coola

      On 20 July 1793 Mackenzie reached the Pacific coast at Bella Coola on North Bentinck Arm, completing the first recorded northern transcontinental crossing.

  3. Alexander Mackenzie becomes second Prime Minister of Canada

    1873–1874

    Role: Prime Minister

    1. November 1873 · CanadaMackenzie Forms Government

      Following Macdonald's resignation, Governor General Lord Dufferin called upon Mackenzie to form a new government.

    2. 1874 · Canada1874 Federal Election

      Mackenzie and the Liberals won a majority government in the 1874 federal election.

  4. The Indian Act comes into force in Canada

    1876

    Role: Leader of the Liberal government that introduced the act (identity unresolved)

    1. 1876 · Parliament of CanadaPassage of the 1876 Act

      The original Indian Act was passed in 1876, consolidating laws respecting Indians and creating a definitive national policy.

  5. John A. Macdonald returns as Prime Minister of Canada

    1878

    Role: Outgoing Prime Minister whose government ended after the 1878 election

    1. 17 September 1878 · Federal jurisdictionElection Result

      The September 17, 1878 election ended Alexander Mackenzie's Liberal government after only one term in office.

Sources

  1. Alexander Mackenzie (explorer) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-24
  2. Alexander Mackenzie (politician) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-06
  3. Indian Act Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-24
  4. 1878 Canadian federal election Wikipedia, revision of 2026-06-06
  5. John A. Macdonald Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-14