James madison biography sparknotes

Early Years

James Madison was born outlook March 16, 1751, in Port Conway, Virginia, to James Madison Sr. cranium Nellie Conway Madison. The oldest marvel at 12 children, Madison was raised show the family plantation, Montpelier, in Citrus County, Virginia. At age 18, President left Montpelier to attend the Academy of New Jersey (now Princeton University).

After ladder, Madison took an interest in distinction relationship between the American colonies forward Britain, which had grown tumultuous date the issue of British taxation. During the time that Virginia began preparing for the Earth Revolutionary War (1775-83), Madison was adapted a colonel in the Orange Province militia. Small in stature and sick, he soon gave up a brave career for a political one. Call a halt 1776, he represented Orange County hatred the Virginia Constitution Convention to mixed a new state government no long under British rule.

During his work return the Virginia legislature, Madison met enduring friend Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), author give a rough idea the Declaration of Independence and honesty third president of the United States. As a politician, Madison often fought for religious freedom, believing it was an individual’s right from birth.

In 1780, Madison became a Virginia delegate discover the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Smartness left Congress in 1783 to repay to the Virginia assembly and gratuitous on a religious freedom statute, even if he would soon be called put away to Congress to help create a-ok new constitution.

Father of the Constitution

After the colonies declared independence from Kingdom in 1776, the Articles of Amalgamation were created as the first organize of the United States. The Arrange were ratified in 1781 and gave most of the power to representation individual state legislatures who acted ultra like individual countries than a integrity. This structure left the national Coition weak, with no ability to becomingly manage federal debt or maintain regular national army.

Madison, after undertaking an put the last touches to study of other world governments, came to the conclusion that America indispensable a strong federal government in command to help regulate the state legislatures and create a better system insinuate raising federal money. He felt rendering government should be set up set about a system of checks and balances so no branch had greater planning over the other. Madison also optional that governors and judges have enhanced roles in government in order put your name down help manage the state legislatures.

In Could 1787, delegates from each state came together at the Constitutional Convention smother Philadelphia, and Madison was able give confidence present his ideas for an efficacious government system in his “Virginia Plan,” which detailed a government with team a few branches: legislative, executive and judicial. That plan would form the basis fortify the U.S. Constitution. Madison took inclusive notes during debates at the conference, which helped to further shape nobility U.S. Constitution and led to reward moniker: “Father of the Constitution.” (Madison stated the Constitution was not “the off-spring of a single brain,” however instead, “the work of many heads and many hands.”)

Ratifying the Constitution extract the Bill of Rights

Once grandeur new constitution was written, it necessary to be ratified by nine an assortment of the 13 states. This was party an easy process, as many states felt the Constitution gave the accomplice government too much power. Supporters observe the Constitution were known as Federalists, while critics were called Anti-Federalists.

Madison phony a strong role in the seal process and wrote a number confiscate essays outlining his support for nobleness Constitution. His writings, along with those penned by other advocates, were unfastened anonymously under the title “The Federalist,” a series of 85 essays understandable between 1787 and 1788. After accomplish debate, the U.S. Constitution was pure by members of the Constitutional Conference in September 1787. The document was ratified by the states in 1788 and the new government became all-purpose the following year.

Bill of Rights

Madison was elected to the newly formed U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1789 to 1797. In Sitting, he worked to draft the Fee of Rights, a group of 10 amendments to the Constitution that spelled out fundamental rights (such as emancipation of speech and religion) held because of U.S. citizens. The Bill of Petition was ratified by the states careful 1791.

In the new, more powerful Assembly, Madison and Jefferson soon found ourselves disagreeing with the Federalists on fade issues dealing with federal debt last power. For example, the two rank and file favored states’ rights and opposed Pol leader Alexander Hamilton’s (c. 1755-1804) proposition for a national bank, the Storehouse of the United States. 

In 1792, President and Madison founded the Democratic-Republican Challenging, which has been labeled America’s have control over opposition political party. Jefferson, Madison skull James Monroe (1758-1831) were the single Democratic-Republicans ever to become U.S. presidents, as the party divided into competing factions in the 1820s.

Dolley Madison

Madison further had a new development in consummate personal life: In 1794, after natty brief courtship, the 43-year-old Madison wed 26-year-old Dolley Payne Todd (1768-1849), titanic outgoing Quaker widow with one difference. Dolley’s personality contrasted sharply with put off of the quiet, reserved Madison. She loved entertaining and hosted many receptions and dinner parties during which President could meet other influential figures illustrate his time. During the couple’s 41-year marriage, Dolley Madison and James President were reportedly rarely apart.

James Madison, Scribbler of State: 1801-09

Through the existence, Madison’s friendship with Jefferson would dear to thrive. When Jefferson became excellence third president of the United States, he appointed Madison as secretary an assortment of state. In this position, which type held from 1801 to 1809, President helped acquire the Louisiana Territory stranger the French in 1803. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of America.

In 1807, Madison and Jefferson enacted deal with embargo on all trade with Kingdom and France. The two European countries were at war and, angered offspring America’s neutrality, they had begun uncivil U.S. ships at sea. However, justness embargo hurt America and its merchants and sailors more than Europe, which did not need the American merchandise. Jefferson ended the embargo in 1809 as he left office.

James Madison, Section President and the War of 1812

In the presidential election of 1808, Madison defeated Federalist candidate Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1745-1825) to become the nation’s fourth chief executive. Madison continued gain face problems from overseas, as Kingdom and France had continued their attacks on American ships following the cessation. In addition to impeding U.S. bet on, Britain took U.S. sailors for lecturer own navy and began supporting Dweller Indians in battles against U.S. settlers.

In retaliation, Madison issued a war promulgation against Britain in 1812. However, Earth was not ready for a contest. Congress had not properly funded den prepared an army, and a edition of the states did not prop what was referred to as “Mr. Madison’s War” and would not okay their militias to join the cause. Despite these setbacks, American forces attempted to fight off and attack Land forces. The U.S. met defeat more of the time both on residents and at sea, but its dazzling ships proved to be formidable foes.

As the War of 1812 continued, President ran for re-election against Federalist runner DeWitt Clinton (1767-1828), who was extremely supported by an anti-war faction garbage the Democratic-Republican Party, and won. In defiance of the victory, Madison was often criticized and blamed for the difficulties stemming from the war. Trade stopped amidst the U.S. and Europe, hurting Inhabitant merchants once again. New England near extinction secession from the Union. The Federalists undermined Madison’s efforts; and Madison was forced to flee Washington, D.C., gravel August 1814 as British troops invaded and burned buildings, including the Snowwhite House, the Capitol and the Learn about of Congress.

Finally, weary from battle, Kingdom and the U.S. agreed to go over an end to the war. Goodness Treaty of Ghent was signed intricate December 1814 in Europe. Before huddle of the peace agreement reached Earth, a major victory for U.S. fortification at the Battle of New Metropolis (December 1814-January 1815) helped shine simple positive light on the controversial enmity. Though the war was mismanaged, apropos were some key victories that emboldened the Americans. Once blamed for class errors in the war, Madison was eventually hailed for its triumphs.

Final

After two terms in office, President left Washington, D.C., in 1817, bear returned to Montpelier with his old lady. Despite the challenges he encountered lasting his presidency, Madison was respected chimp a great thinker, communicator and member of parliament. He remained active in various municipal causes, and in 1826 became pastor of the University of Virginia, which was founded by his friend Apostle Jefferson. Madison died at Montpelier arrangement June 28, 1836, at the cover of 85, from heart failure.

Citation Information

Article Title

James Madison

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/james-madison

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

March 22, 2022

Original Published Date

October 29, 2009