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'''James Madison''' (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836), an American statesman, political theorist, party leader and fourth President of the United States of America (1809–1817), was one of the most influential [[Founding Fathers]] of the United States. Considered to be the "Father of the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]]," Madison played the central role in designing the 1787 document and promoting its ratification. In 1788, he wrote over a third of the [[Federalist Papers]], still the most influential commentary on the Constitution. As a leader in the first Congresses, he drafted many basic laws and was responsible for the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and thus is also known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights."  As a political theorist, Madison advanced the theory of [[republicanism]]. His Madison's most distinctive belief was that the new republic needed checks and balances to limit the powers of special interests, which Madison called ''factions.''<ref>Robert Alan Dahl, "Madisonian Democracy," in Dahl, et al., eds. ''The Democracy Sourcebook'' (MIT Press, 2003), pp. 207-16.</ref> He believed very strongly that the new nation should fight against aristocracy and corruption (especially of British origin), and was deeply committed to creating mechanisms that would ensure [[Republicanism]] in the United States]].<ref>Banning, 1995; Kernell, 2003; Riemer, 1954.</ref>  

'''James Madison''' (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836), an American statesman, political theorist, party leader and fourth President of the [[United States]] of America (1809–1817), was one of the most influential [[Founding Fathers]] of the United States. Considered to be the "Father of the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]]," Madison played the central role in designing the 1787 document and promoting its ratification. In 1788, he wrote over a third of the [[Federalist Papers]], still the most influential commentary on the Constitution. As a leader in the first Congresses, he drafted many basic laws and was responsible for the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and thus is also known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights."  As a political theorist, Madison advanced the theory of [[republicanism]]. Madison's most distinctive belief was that the new republic needed checks and balances to limit the powers of special interests, which Madison called ''factions.''<ref>Robert Alan Dahl, "Madisonian Democracy," in Dahl, et al., eds. ''The Democracy Sourcebook'' (MIT Press, 2003), pp. 207-16.</ref> He believed very strongly that the new nation should fight against aristocracy and corruption (especially of British origin), and was deeply committed to creating mechanisms that would ensure [[Republicanism]] in the United States.<ref>Banning, 1995; Kernell, 2003; Riemer, 1954.</ref>

As leader in the House of Representatives, Madison worked closely with President [[George Washington]] to organize the new federal government.  Breaking with Treasury Secretary [[Alexander Hamilton]] in 1791, Madison and [[Thomas Jefferson]] organized what they called the ''Republican Party'' (and historians call the [[Democratic-Republican Party]]).  The new party opposed Hamilton's financial and foreign policies, especially the national bank and the [[Jay Treaty]]. In 1798 to protest the [[Alien and Sedition Laws]] Madison secretly coauthored, along with Thomas Jefferson, the [[Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions]] that called for states to block federal laws.

As leader in the House of Representatives, Madison worked closely with President [[George Washington]] to organize the new federal government.  Breaking with Treasury Secretary [[Alexander Hamilton]] in 1791, Madison and [[Thomas Jefferson]] organized what they called the ''Republican Party'' (and historians call the [[Democratic-Republican Party]]).  The new party opposed Hamilton's financial and foreign policies, especially the national bank and the [[Jay Treaty]]. In 1798 to protest the [[Alien and Sedition Laws]] Madison secretly coauthored, along with Thomas Jefferson, the [[Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions]] that called for states to block federal laws.

As Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809), Madison supervised the [[Louisiana Purchase]], doubling the nation's size, and sponsored the ill-fated [[Embargo of 1807]] to punish British and French  violations of American rights. As president, he led the nation into the [[War of 1812]] against Britain in order to uphold American honor against British insults (especially the impressment of American sailors), to protect America's rights to trade with France, and to stop the British aid to Indians who were blocking expansion into the northwest Territory.  

As Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809), Madison supervised the [[Louisiana Purchase]], doubling the nation's size, and sponsored the ill-fated [[Embargo of 1807]] to punish British and French  violations of American rights. As president, he led the nation into the [[War of 1812]] against Britain in order to uphold American honor against British insults (especially the impressment of American sailors), to protect America's rights to trade with France, and to stop the British aid to Indians who were blocking expansion into the northwest Territory.  

Madison had not seriously prepared for war and lacked a strategy or good generals. The war began poorly as Americans suffered defeat after defeat by smaller forces, but ended on a high note in 1815, after which a new spirit of nationalism swept the country. During and after the war, Madison reversed many of his positions. By 1815, he supported the creation of the second National Bank, a strong military, and a high tariff to protect the new factories opened during the war.

Madison had not seriously prepared for war and lacked a strategy or good generals. The war began poorly, as Americans suffered defeat after defeat by smaller forces, but ended on a high note in 1815, after which a new spirit of [[nationalism]] swept the country. During and after the war, Madison reversed many of his positions. By 1815, he supported the creation of the second National Bank, a strong military, and a high tariff to protect the new factories opened during the war.

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

James was the oldest of 12 children of James Madison, Sr., and Nelly Conway. The father, an Anglican vestryman, a justice of the peace, and Orange County's leading planter, was the owner of 4,000 acres and about 100 slaves. James attended a local academy and was home schooled, and went off to Princeton (College of New Jersey) in 1769. Although small, frail and sickly, he was a brilliant student who finished the three year course in two years and stayed on as Princeton's first graduate student. Studying under erudite president [[John Witherspoon]], a Presbyterian divine, Madison absorbed the classics, and the main books in Enlightenment thought.  

James was the oldest of 12 children of James Madison, Sr., and Nelly Conway. The father, an Anglican vestryman, a justice of the peace, and Orange County's leading planter, was the owner of 4,000 acres and about 100 slaves. James attended a local academy and was home schooled, and went off to Princeton (College of New Jersey) in 1769. Although small, frail and sickly, he was a brilliant student who finished the three-year course in two years and stayed on as Princeton's first graduate student. Studying under erudite president [[John Witherspoon]], a Presbyterian divine, Madison absorbed the classics, and the main books in Enlightenment thought.  

[[File:Dolley.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

[[File:Dolley.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

On September 14, 1794, Madison married [[Dolley Madison|Dolley Payne Todd]], who cut as attractive and vivacious a figure as he did a sickly and anti-social one. Dolley is largely credited with inventing the role of First Lady as political ally and adviser to the president.  They had no children.

On September 14, 1794, Madison married [[Dolley Madison|Dolley Payne Todd]], who cut as attractive and vivacious a figure as he did a sickly and anti-social one. Dolley is largely credited with inventing the role of First Lady as political ally and adviser to the president.  They had no children.

==Political career==

==Political career==