Changes

==Opposition to Hamilton==

==Opposition to Hamilton==

The chief characteristic of Madison's time in Congress was his work to limit the power of the federal government. Madison never wanted a national government that took an active role. He was horrified to discover that Hamilton and Washington were creating "a real modern European type of government with a bureaucracy, a standing army, and a powerful independent executive".<ref>Wood,  2006a, p. 165.</ref>   

The chief characteristic of Madison's time in Congress was his work to limit the power of the federal government. Madison never wanted a national government that took an active role and feared that Hamilton and Washington were creating a European type of government with a bureaucracy, a standing army, and a powerful independent executive.<ref>Wood,  2006a, p. 165.</ref>   

When Britain and France went to war in 1793 the U.S. was caught in the middle. The 1778 treaty of alliance with France was still in effect, yet most of the new country's trade was with Britain. War with Britain seemed imminent in 1794, as the British seized hundreds of American ships that were trading with French colonies. Madison (in collaboration with Jefferson, who had returned to private life), believed that Britain was weak and America strong, and that a trade war with Britain, although it threatened retaliation by Britain, probably would succeed, and would allow Americans to assert their independence fully. Great Britain, he charged, "has bound us in commercial manacles, and very nearly defeated the object of our independence". As Varg explains, Madison had no fear of British recriminations for "her interests can be wounded almost mortally, while ours are invulnerable". The British West Indies, he maintained, could not live without American foodstuffs, but Americans could easily do without British manufactures. This same faith led him to the conclusion "that it is in our power, in a very short time, to supply all the tonnage necessary for our own commerce".<ref>Paul A. Varg, ''Foreign Policies of the Founding Fathers'' (1963), p. 74.</ref> However, President Washington avoided a trade war and instead secured friendly trade relations with Britain through the [[Jay Treaty]] of 1794. Madison tried and failed to defeat the treaty, and it became a central issue of the emerging [[First Party System]]. All across the country, voters divided for and against the Treaty and other key issues, and thus became Federalists or Republicans.

When Britain and France went to war in 1793 the U.S. was caught in the middle. The 1778 treaty of alliance with France was still in effect, yet most of the new country's trade was with Britain. War with Britain seemed imminent in 1794, as the British seized hundreds of American ships that were trading with French colonies. Madison (in collaboration with Jefferson, who had returned to private life), believed that Britain was weak and America strong, and that a trade war with Britain, although it threatened retaliation by Britain, probably would succeed, and would allow Americans to assert their independence fully. Britain, he charged, "has bound us in commercial manacles, and very nearly defeated the object of our independence". Madison had no fear of British recriminations for "her interests can be wounded almost mortally, while ours are invulnerable". The British West Indies, he maintained, could not live without American foodstuffs, but Americans could easily do without British manufactures. This same faith led him to the conclusion "that it is in our power, in a very short time, to supply all the tonnage necessary for our own commerce".<ref>Paul A. Varg, ''Foreign Policies of the Founding Fathers'' (1963), p. 74.</ref> However, President Washington avoided a trade war and instead Hamilton and Jay secured friendly trade relations with Britain through the [[Jay Treaty]] of 1794. Madison tried and failed to defeat the treaty, and it became a central issue of the emerging [[First Party System]]. All across the country, voters divided for and against the Treaty and other key issues, and thus became Federalists or Republicans.

===Madison vs Hamilton===

===Madison vs Hamilton===

Treasury Secretary [[Alexander Hamilton]] built a nationwide network of supporters that became the [[Federalist Party]], and promoted a strong central government with a national bank.  Madison and Jefferson organized the "republican party", which was known at the time as the Republican Party (historians later called it the [[Democratic-Republican Party]]). It opposed Hamilton's domestic and foreign policies and the Federalists overall as centralizers and pro-British elitists who would undermine republican values. Madison led the unsuccessful attempt to block Hamilton's proposed [[First Bank of the United States|Bank of the United States]], arguing the new Constitution did not explicitly allow the federal government to form a bank.<ref>As early as May 26, 1792, Hamilton complained, "Mr. Madison cooperating with Mr. Jefferson is at the head of a faction decidedly hostile to me and my administration. Hamilton, ''Writings'' (2001), p. 738. On May 5, 1792, Madison told Washington, "with respect to the spirit of party that was taking place ...I was sensible of its existence". ''Madison Letters'' (1865), 1:554.</ref>

Treasury Secretary [[Alexander Hamilton]] built a nationwide network of supporters that became the [[Federalist Party]], and promoted a strong central government with a national bank.  Madison and Jefferson organized the "Republican party", in 1793 (historians later called it the [[Democratic-Republican Party]]). It opposed Hamilton's domestic and foreign policies and the Federalists overall as centralizers and pro-British elitists who would undermine republican values. Madison led the unsuccessful attempt to block Hamilton's proposed [[First Bank of the United States|Bank of the United States]], arguing the new Constitution did not explicitly allow the federal government to form a bank.<ref>As early as May 26, 1792, Hamilton complained, "Mr. Madison cooperating with Mr. Jefferson is at the head of a faction decidedly hostile to me and my administration. Hamilton, ''Writings'' (2001), p. 738. On May 5, 1792, Madison told Washington, "with respect to the spirit of party that was taking place ...I was sensible of its existence". ''Madison Letters'' (1865), 1:554.</ref>

===States rights===

===States rights===

Most historians argue that Madison changed radically from a nationally-oriented ally of Hamilton in 1787-88 to a states-rights-oriented opponent of a strong national government by 1795.  Madison started with opposing Hamilton[http://columbia.thefreedictionary.com/Madison,+James]; by 1793 he was opposing Washington as well[http://www.americanpresident.org/history/jamesmadison/]. Madison usually lost and Hamilton usually achieved passage of his legislation, including the National Bank, funding of state and national debts, and support of the [[Jay Treaty]]. (Madison did block the proposal for high tariffs.) Madison's politics remained closely aligned with Jefferson's until the experience of a weak national government during the [[War of 1812]] led Madison to appreciate the need for a stronger central government. He then began to support a national bank, a stronger navy and a standing army. However, other historians, led by Lance Banning and [[Gordon S. Wood]], see more continuity in Madison's views and do not see a sharp break in 1792.

Most historians argue that Madison changed radically from a nationally-oriented ally of Hamilton in 1787-88 to a states-rights-oriented opponent of a strong national government by 1795.  Madison started with opposing Hamilto; by 1793 he was opposing Washington as well. On most major issues Madison usually lost and Hamilton usually won, notably the National Bank, funding of state and national debts, and support of the [[Jay Treaty]]. (Madison did block the proposal for high tariffs.) Madison's politics remained closely aligned with Jefferson's until the experience of a weak national government during the [[War of 1812]] led Madison to appreciate the need for a stronger central government. He then began to support a national bank, a stronger navy and a standing army. However, other historians, led by Lance Banning and [[Gordon S. Wood]], see more continuity in Madison's views and do not see a sharp break in 1792.

==Secretary of State: 1801-1809==

==Secretary of State: 1801-1809==