The time period: 1856 to 1864. The United States coveted the land. Britain was not prepared to fight. John A: The Birth Of A Country; lays bare the passionate struggle between John A. Macdonald, the charismatic leader of the Conservative Party, and his opponent, the fiercely determined George Brown, leader of what would become the Liberal Party. A film of political thrillers, stories of personal hatred, public passion and political poison.