A Look at the Contribution of James Madison in the Making of United States of America

James Madison was one of the most influential individuals in the making of our country. He lived a long exciting life in which he made many lasting contributions. He is known as the Father of the Constitution for his critical role in drafting the U.S. Constitution. In addition to his remarkable role at the Constitutional Convention, he was elected to the House of Representatives for four terms, served eight years as Secretary of State, and two terms as the President of the United States. This writer will assess: Madison s early youth; role and importance in the Constitutional Convention; Contributions to the creation of the Federalist Papers; life as President and the War of 1812; finally, this writer s assessment of James Madison. James Madison was born on March 16, 1751 in Port Conway, Virginia. His family had lived in this part of the country since the mid 17th century. Madison inherited the family plantation, which consisted of 5000 acres and 100 slaves. The main crops that were grown on his plantation were grains and tobacco.

Madison was the eldest of ten children born to his parent s James and Eleanor Madison. As a child, Madison was a sickly and frail individual who was unable to take part in normal boyhood activities. He spent most of his childhood reading books. In adulthood, Madison was 5 4 and only weighed 100 pounds. He had a slight speech impediment, which caused him to talk very softly during public speeches. Madison attended the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) from 1669-1671. Here, he completed a four-year course in only two years. While enrolled in college, Madison was a member of the debate club, as well as in the American Whig Society. The works of such thinkers as Addison, Hume, Locke, Newton, and Voltaire influenced him. After graduating, Madison remained in New Jersey for an additional six months, to pursue graduate studies in law and theology. It was his goal to become either a minister or a lawyer. He decided that neither would appeal to him, so he returmed to his plantation in Orange County, Virginia. Madison never had any children of his own, but when he married Dolley Todd on September 15, 1794 he became the parent of a stepchild. Dolley was vivacious and handsome. She was also sixteen years younger than he was. Madison supported efforts to oppose British colonial policies. In 1775, he was elected chairman of the Orange County Revolutionary Committee of Safety.

One year later he was elected to the convention that declared Virginia independent. He was a key figure in drafting a new state constitution. Madison was too delicate to enlist in the Continental Army; nevertheless he was still able to contribute to the revolutionary cause. In 1780, Madison was the youngest member elected to the Continental Congress. He served almost four years and became a well-known advocate for a strong central government. Although he spoke softly, he was great debater because of his intense intellectual efforts. Madison retired from Congress in 1783; he was regarded as its most effective legislator and debater. From 1784 to 1786, Madison served in the Virginia Assembly. At the Annapolis Convention in 1786 Madison called for the Constitutional Convention. Madison spent a good part of 1786 studying books sent to him by Thomas Jefferson, in hopes of finding some past model of government that would work in the American Republic. After looking at history, Madison declared that no confederacy could long endure if it acted upon the states only and not directly upon individuals. Madison could not find a suitable government, instead he found ideas of what should not be done.

Order custom essay A Look at the Contribution of James Madison in the Making of United States of America with free plagiarism report

450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery

Get Essay Help

Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution, because his beliefs were s0 valued. Madison saw a constitution as a means of joining structures of deliberation and decision making. This would promote social action by enabling the right kinds of majorities to mobilize, and keep the evil factions neutralized. Madison argued that liberty is safest in large republics. He believed that citizens naturally differed in their talents and qualities. The government needs to be strictly limited from having too strong of powers. History taught Madison that separation of powers was needed to protect liberty. This concept would keep dominant factions from taking over the entire government. The Constitutional Convention was held during May of 1787 in Philadelphia. Everyone who attended the convention was committing treason; what they were doing was flagrantly illegal. Instead of revising the Articles of Confederation, they decided to write a whole new Constitution. Madison was only thirty-six years old during the Convention. Of the seventy-nine delegates who were invited, only fifty-five showed up; thirty regularly debated. Madison was a well-prepared scholar of political history. He spoke more frequently than any other delegate except James Wilson and Gouverner Morris.

Although the deliberations were conducted in private, Madison took detailed notes and recapped each day s events in his journal. He was the only participant to do so; therefore, he furmished the only comprehensive history of the event. This is how we know how the structure of our govemment was formed. The deliberations were kept quiet for thirty years, so without Madison s notes, the events that took place would have been lost forever. After the Constitution was written, Madison and other Federalists had to get it ratified. John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and Madison wrote the Federalist Papers. These essays were published in New York newspapers under the name Publius. There were eighty- five articles written, Madison wrote twenty-six of them. These essays explain the goals behind the organization of the new National Government. They helped in the ratification movement. Madison also helped the ratification process by backing the Bill of Rights. He proposed six of the first ten amendments. His concept of liberty and republican theory proved to be his most lasting contribution to the Constitution. Madison retired from Congress in 1797. He went back to his plantation in Orange County but did not retire from politics. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 got him back into politics.

Madison drafted the Virginia Resolves to protest this act. In this Resolve, Madison powerfully defended freedom of the press. He backed Jefferson for President in the election of 1800. Jefferson, in thanks for his support appointed Madison Secretary of State. He remained in this position until 1809. After serving under Jefferson for two terms, Madison was elected the President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He won on the Democrat-Republican ticket;, Jefferson and Madison had started this party. He represented the views of the farmers in the South and West, not the rich. He was the first member of the House be elected President. Madison held the belief that the President should not play a strong role in shaping National Policy. Madison made poor choices when choosing his cabinet and this hurt his Presidency. In 1812, facing a difficult reelection campaign, Madison supported a declaration of war against Great Britain. Surrounded by incompetent advisors and lacking the personal ability to inspire confidence, he was a poor war president. During his reign as president his administration was one of confusion, threatened succession, financial embarrassment, and defeat. Perhaps the most humiliating event that happened during his presidency was when the city of Washington was burned in the War of 1812. After a treaty in 1814, Americans enjoyed surge of Nationalism that Madison rode into his final two years in office. In March of 1817, Madison retired from the Presidency to Montpelier where he stayed the remainder of his days.

Madison was still asked for his advice on important political issues. Madison served as a foreign advisor to President Monroe. His only official business came in 1829, when he was a delegate to the Virginia State Constitutional Convention where he served on several of its committees. Madison was bed ridden for the last years of his life. He died on June 28, 1836 at the age of eighty-five. He was buried on his plantation in Virginia. Madison was the last survivor of the Founders of the American Republic. James Madison was one of the most influential individuals in the making of our country. He accomplished many great feats throughout his lifetime, several of which still affect our lives today. He was a small man who had an enormous effect on all those who knew him and more importantly on his nation s destiny.

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

Check my essay Hire Writer