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'''James Madison'''<ref>James Madison did not have a middle name.</ref> was the 4th President of the [[United States of America]], serving from 1809-1817. Madison also played a prominent role at the [[Constitutional Convention]] of 1787 and is sometimes known as the "Father of the [[Constitution]]", a title that Madison himself scorned.   

'''James Madison'''<ref>James Madison did not have a middle name.</ref> was the 4th President of the [[United States of America]], serving from 1809-1817. Madison also played a prominent role at the [[Constitutional Convention]] of 1787 and is sometimes known as the "Father of the [[Constitution]]", a title that Madison himself scorned.   

Madison was born in March 16, 1751 on the estate of Blue Ridge in Virginia.  He is responsible for writing and proposing the Virginia Plan which would later become part of  the Constitution.  He died June 28, 1836 in Montpelier, Virginia at age 86. <ref>[[Encyclopedia of Presidents James Madison]] by Susan Clinton, Children's Press </ref>

Madison was born in March 16, 1751 on the estate of Blue Ridge in Virginia.  He is responsible for writing and proposing the Virginia Plan which would later become part of  the Constitution.  He died June 28, 1836 in Montpelier, Virginia at age 86.<ref>[[Encyclopedia of Presidents James Madison]] by Susan Clinton, Children's Press </ref>

==The War of 1812==

==The War of 1812==

Madison's presidency was not without problems. In particular, the British seizure of American ships was something that he could not resolve diplomatically. Instead, he pushed for war, and the U.S. eventually invaded Canada (then still a British colony), in what became known as the [[War of 1812]]. That war saw the seizing of Detroit by Canada, and the burning of Washington, D.C. by the British. Madison's wife, Dolly, is famously remembered for saving a portrait of [[George Washington]] just before the British burned the [[White House]]. In hindsight, the War of 1812 is often viewed as a mistake, but at the time the [[Federalist Party]]'s opposition to the war (and to Madison's [[Democratic-Republican Party]]) led to the Federalists being viewed as "unpatriotic" and "anti-American," and the party disbanded soon after the next election year.   

Madison's presidency was not without problems. In particular, the British seizure of American ships was something that he could not resolve diplomatically. Instead, he pushed for war, and the U.S. eventually invaded Canada (then still a British colony), in what became known as the [[War of 1812]]. That war saw the seizing of Detroit by Canada, and the burning of Washington, D.C. by the British. Madison's wife, Dolly, is famously remembered for saving a portrait of [[George Washington]] just before the British burned the [[White House]]. In hindsight, the War of 1812 is often viewed as a mistake, but at the time the [[Federalist Party]]'s opposition to the war (and to Madison's [[Democratic-Republican Party]]) led to the Federalists being viewed as "unpatriotic" and "anti-American," and the party disbanded soon after the next election year.   

==Madison on Separation of Church and State==

==Madison on Separation of Church and State==

Madison, along with his fellow Democratic-Republican [[Thomas Jefferson]], was adamant in maintaining a [[Separation of church and state]], a very rare position at the time and almost unheard of among the founding fathers.  [[George Washington]], for instance, in his farewell address advocated the importance of having moral religious men in government.

Madison, along with his fellow Democratic-Republican [[Thomas Jefferson]], was adamant in maintaining a [[Separation of church and state]], a very rare position at the time and almost unheard of among the founding fathers.  [[George Washington]], for instance, in his farewell address advocated the importance of having moral religious men in government.

<blockquote>"Religion is the basis and Foundation of Government.... We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."  June 20, 1785 <ref>[http://www.doctorsenator.com/JamesMadison.html From America's God and Country by William J. Federer]

<blockquote>"Religion is the basis and Foundation of Government.... We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."  June 20, 1785 <ref>[http://www.doctorsenator.com/JamesMadison.html From America's God and Country by William J. Federer]

</ref></blockquote>

</ref></blockquote>

== Sources ==

== Sources ==

*[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm4.html White House biography]

*[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm4.html White House biography]

==References==

==References==

 

{{USPresidents}}

{{USPresidents}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Madison, James}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Madison, James}}

[[Category:Presidents of the United States]]

[[Category:Presidents of the United States]]

[[Category: Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]