Fourth US President James Madison: Biography, Political Views

In the history of the United States, there were many presidents, who had a significant influence on the development of this country during the following decades. A good example is James Madison. He was the fourth ruler of the United States.

Basic biographical information

He was born in 1751, died in 1836. The fourth president is still famous in the US, as he was one of the founders of the Constitution of this state. It is believed that he was born in the town of Port Conway (Virginia). It happened on March 16, 1751. Education James Madison initially receives a private (as well as many in his time). In 1769, he easily entered Princeton University.

At that time, this institution was called the College of New Jersey. The end of the college is 1771. At the same time, he becomes a member of the Whig Club, which predetermines his future political career and convictions. With him, the history of the United States is almost beginning anew, as Madison has done a lot to create a fully functional and thoughtful power structure.

The beginning of political career

For the first time, the future president of the United States draws the attention of revolutionaries in 1775. He is appointed chairman of the Revolutionary Security Committee in Orange County. At the same time, Madison is gaining wide popularity as the author of various pamphlets and speeches, in which he in every possible way branded the British government.

It is not surprising that in 1776 he was appointed chairman of the revolutionary committee from Virginia. It is he who prepares the draft resolution on rights, and also does much in the area of organizing state management. By the way, James Madison is very famous in church circles, since this person insisted on the complete separation of the church from management first by the staff and then by the state.

Also created the first government of Virginia and was a prominent member of the first assembly. Nevertheless, he is not elected to the second term, but in 1777 the future president enters the Gubernatorial Council. What else is remarkable about James Madison? Democracy in his person has acquired a politician who has done much to shape this socio-political system in the form that we know today.

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

In just three years he is elected permanent representative of his native state at the Continental Congress. In the period from 1780 to 1783 he was a very active participant, having done a lot for the work of the whole organization. It is James Madison who is considered the author of numerous amendments that gave Congress the right to collect taxes from all states, as well as the distribution of interest on national debt for them, according to the number of residents. In addition, James fervently advocated full freedom of navigation on the Mississippi River.

Other political merit

For these merits, he is elected chairman of the Chamber of Deputies throughout Virginia. In 1786, he achieved the adoption of the law on complete freedom of religion, and also achieved complete independence of the state from the church. The latter did not add Madison fans, but it significantly weakened Britain's influence on the young state.

In the same year he becomes the "instigator" of the Constitutional Congress in Philadelphia, and travels there as a representative of his state. Largely thanks to the work of Madison, the US Constitution of 1787 was created and ratified, which Americans recall every year.

Constitutional activity

Since Madison was very calm and confident in himself, he was able to quickly gain the respect and confidence of many deputies. He played the role of an intermediary between conservatives and supporters of a new, federal government that could make the country stronger. The Chamber of Deputies in Virginia unanimously recommended James to the Confederate Parliament, and therefore in 1787-88 he worked in New York. He writes a series of works in which he advocates the creation of a new constitution.

Thus, the US Constitution of 1787 was created with the direct participation of this clever and assertive person who was able to negotiate and "punch" his ideas, even in an environment that they categorically did not accept.

Different views on the system of government

All these materials, signed with the pseudonym "Publius", were published in the form of a book entitled "The Federalist", published before the very procedure of ratification of the constitution. Today this publication is known under the name "James Madison, federalist notes". It is in this work that Madison first formulated the postulates that today are considered to be the basis of modern pluralism.

Also, the future president advocated a republican form of government, arguing that it is this kind of power that will create a large and dynamically developing state. It can be said that this person began the history of the United States, which is now being studied in American schools. If before Madison it was, rather, not about an independent state, but about a community of revolutionaries, then its activity forced the reckoning with the young country of other players in the international arena (including Great Britain).

The way to the presidency

In 1788, Madison was elected to the ratification committee from the State of Virginia. His supporters understood that the country urgently needed just such a person: the peace and perseverance of the future president were extremely necessary to ratify the constitution. At the same time, the important quality of Madison was the ability to negotiate. He was able to convince even ardent opponents of the constitutional state that he achieved inclusion in the document of ten items, today known as the Bill of Rights.

Along with Jefferson, he creates the first Republican Party, which served as an opposition bloc. Jefferson, who soon becomes president, has not forgotten about this role of Madison. He appoints his companion as State Secretary, at whose post he was in the period from 1801 to 1809. Historians have no doubt that James, and at this time had a significant impact on the development of the country, since Jefferson constantly consulted with him.

Thus, James Madison defended the idea of creating a form of government in the US, called the constitutional republic.

How did he become President?

He was elected president of the United States in 1808. Before that, a kind of "competition" was held inside the Republican Party itself, designed to help nominate the most promising candidate. Oddly enough, Madison never made a pre-election speech, and his supporters in the party achieved popularization. As in many cases, James managed to negotiate with some opponents of his nomination, making vice president of the 60-year-old George Clinton.

This was done only as a tribute of respect, because this person could not physically fulfill his direct duties. Already in 1812, he was replaced by Elbridge Gerry, who proved himself to be vice-president as a competent professional.

The main achievements of the new president

In 1808, the Americans had one topic for discussion - talk about the damage caused to them by the trade embargo of 1807, adopted by Britain and its satellites. The export fell sharply, many goods had to be smuggled out, which made their value significantly reduced. The shipowners demanded urgent resumption of transportation, since otherwise the entire transport system would be lost for the whole couple of years. James Madison (his domestic policy was balanced) did a lot to minimize damage, developing domestic trade and gradually seeking lifting of the embargo.

In many ways, the government program of Madison relied on the so-called "Economical rule". In particular, he believed that, in the event of a possible military conflict, the constitution should not interfere with the independent work of the states, but on the condition that their activities do not harm the central federal government. Very remarkable was the attitude of Madison to the Indians, whom he sympathized with and offered to provide assistance, including monetary compensation! For that time, it really was a breakthrough, but this thought did not receive the approval of the party majority.

Focus on agriculture and industrial production

Madison fully shared Jefferson's beliefs about the highest value of agriculture, but also recognized that further expansion and strengthening of the United States would be impossible without a powerful industrial base. It is the development of agriculture and industrial production that is characterized almost all the time of his rule.

What led to the war with Britain?

The desire to agree did not always go to this president for good. Thus, forming a new government, it was largely bound by its contractual obligations, and therefore this body was largely composed of very mediocre managers. The only exception was Albert Gallatin, who was left of the old government. Even the Robert Smith of Maryland, who in 1811 urgently needed to be replaced by James Monroe, was able to get into the state department because of complete insolvency and, possibly, dementia.

But still James Madison ( whose political views were notable for breadth) proved to be quite an energetic and determined ruler. It was he who in 1810 openly announced the expansion of West Florida, which previously belonged to the Spanish Crown. Soon after, the insurgents seized Spanish territory without unnecessary ceremony and proclaimed the creation of the republic. Already in 1811, the president announced that the United States had claims to East Florida. In the end, the Spaniards managed to reach an agreement ... but not with the English, which in every possible way interfered with this process. Because of their obstinacy, the war began.

But at the same time the president was strongly against such a development of events. James Madison, whose quotes are still studied in American schools, said this: "Of all the enemies of public freedom, the greatest thing to be feared is wars, for in it are contained and the buds of all others are flourishing." Nevertheless, we had to fight all the same.

The War Begins

In the middle of 1812 in the United States receive the message of the British foreign minister that his country is not going to unilaterally abolish the trade blockade. In principle, the same was occupied and Napoleon, and therefore the Americans could declare war at once to two European powers. But prudence still prevailed.

From the British, the threat came more clearly, and the war on two fronts the young state would clearly not draw. In the early summer, James Madison (whose biography we are briefly considering) tells the parliament, then we will have to declare war on Britain, which ... threatens the unity and very fact of the existence of the American nation. It was recognized that the confiscation of American courts, the abduction and murder of US citizens, as well as the incitement of Indian tribes, are crimes subject to universal condemnation. Despite the decision to declare war, it was not given easily.

The session of the Congress was held behind closed doors, journalists and reporters were not allowed, since the issue under discussion was too serious. Among the members of parliament and the government there were many opponents of the war who spoke of "lack of money, professional soldiers, military taxes." Despite this, at the end of June 1812 President Madison officially announced the beginning of hostilities against Britain.

Unsuccessful truce

Strangely enough, soon the British announced the suspension of the trade blockade, after which the US government proposed to introduce a truce. Madison himself demanded unconditionally to stop fighting at sea, to release captured sailors and stop the robbery of coastal cities. But already in the end of 1812 the Great Britain refused all these conditions, after which the war continued.

Central states were extremely unhappy with the ongoing hostilities. Therefore, in the winter of the same year, a commission was established for the re-election of Madison. But it was not possible, although not a single vote was given from the central states for the president. In 1814, after two years of war, the situation of the Americans worsened even more, since Napoleon capitulated in Europe. The British received an opportunity to transfer the liberated divisions, after which the Capitol and the White House were burnt to the ground, while Madison and the government fled.

The situation, however, soon managed to be rectified, and in 1815 a peace treaty was signed. Soon the president resigns, but he also takes an active part in the construction of the young state. What else is James Madison famous for? The political science of that historical period knows him as a figure who issued a law on the free self-determination of the Negroes and the right of return of all who wish to Africa. What is characteristic: there were few such units.