James Madison. Biography. Photo. Emphasis on agriculture and industrial production

1751

1808 and in 1812

1812

1836

James Madison became the fourth President of the United States of America, and was also one of the co-authors of the State Constitution.

James Madison born March 16 1751 in the family of a plantation farmer in Virginia. Educated at a local school, he later graduated from college in New Jersey. According to contemporaries, he devoted a lot of time to self-education, loved to read, sometimes slept no more than three hours a day - he spent the rest of the time studying. He was very serious and cautious about communicating with women, as he survived the breakup of the engagement, which left an imprint on the character of James Madison for life. He married late - at 43, his wife, Dorothy (Dolly), the widow of John Todd, was 17 years younger than her husband. The couple had no common children; James Madison adopted his wife's child from his first marriage.

D. Madison began his political career as one of the supporters of the federal government, but over time he changed his beliefs and went over to the side of the Republicans. He served as Secretary of State of the United States during the presidency of T. Jefferson. Was elected to the presidency twice 1808 and in 1812 (from the Republican Party).

As head of state, D. Madison paid special attention to economic issues. Madison's demands to stop trading with France and Great Britain until the restrictive ordinances that prevented neutral states from trading with them were lifted caused a real international scandal. Subsequently, France made concessions, and the ban on trade with Great Britain remained in force. This caused the war 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, as a result of which the economy of the United States suffered great damage. But Madison showed himself to be a courageous, decisive and principled politician, in addition, he was able to take the necessary measures so that Great Britain agreed to conclude peace on favorable terms for the United States. After that, all the actions of the President were aimed at taking effective measures to improve the economic level of the United States and the well-being of the people of the country.

After completing his political career, James Madison settled in Virginia. Towards the end of his life, he became very weak physically, as he suffered from a severe form of rheumatism for many years. He lived 85 years and 104 days, and died at his estate on June 28 1836 Mr. Dolly outlived her husband by 13 years. A year after his death, she moved to Washington, where she was buried.

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

Basic biographical information

Born in 1751, died in 1836. The fourth president is still famous in the United States, as he was one of the creators 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 private (like many in his time). In 1769, he easily enters

At that time, this educational institution was called the College of New Jersey. College graduation - 1771. At the same time, he becomes a member of the Whig discussion club, which predetermines his further political career and convictions. With him, the history of the United States practically begins anew, since Madison did a lot to create a fully functional and thoughtful power structure.

The beginning of a political career

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

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 a lot in the field of organizing state administration. By the way, James Madison is also very famous in church circles, since it was this person who insisted on the complete separation of the church from the government, first by the state, and then by the state.

He also created the first government of Virginia and was a prominent member of the first assembly. Nevertheless, he was not elected for a second term, but in 1777 the future president was a member of the governor's council. What else is remarkable about James Madison? Democracy, in his person, acquired a politician who did a lot to shape this socio-political system in the form that we know today.

Continental Congress

Just three years later, he is elected permanent representative of his native state to the Continental Congress. In the period from 1780 to 1783, he was a very active participant in it, having done a lot for the work of this entire organization. It was James Madison who is considered the author of numerous amendments that gave Congress the right to collect taxes from all states, as well as to distribute interest on the national debt to them, according to the number of inhabitants. In addition, James passionately advocated complete freedom of navigation on the Mississippi River.

Other political merit

For these merits, he is elected chairman of the House of Deputies for all of Virginia. In 1786, he achieved the passage of a law on complete freedom of religion, and also achieved the complete independence of the state from the church. The latter did not add fans to Madison, but made it possible to significantly weaken the influence of Great Britain on the young state.

In the same year, he becomes the "instigator" of the Constitutional Congress in Philadelphia, and goes 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 remember every year.

Constitutional activities

Since Madison was a very calm and self-confident person, he was able to quickly earn the respect and trust 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 House of Deputies in Virginia unanimously recommended James to the Confederate Parliament, and therefore in 1787-88 he works 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 smart and assertive man, who knew how to negotiate and “punch through” his own ideas even in an environment that categorically did not accept them.

Different views on systems of government

All these materials, signed with the pseudonym "Publius", were published in the form of a book with the title "Federalist", published before the very procedure for ratifying the constitution. Today this edition is known as James Madison, Papers of a Federalist. It was in this work that Madison first formulated those 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 was precisely such power that would allow the creation of a large and dynamically developing state. It can be said that the history of the United States, which is studied in American schools today, began with this person. If before Madison it was rather not about an independent state, but about a community of revolutionaries, then his activities forced other players in the international arena (including Great Britain) to reckon with the young country.

Path to the presidency

In 1788, Madison was elected to the ratification committee from His supporters understood that the country urgently needed just such a person: the calmness and perseverance of the future president were essential to ratify the constitution. At the same time, an important quality of Madison was the ability to negotiate. He was able to convince even ardent opponents of the constitutional state by having achieved the inclusion in the document of ten points, today known as

Along with Jefferson, he creates the first Republican party, which served as an opposition bloc. Jefferson, soon to be president, has not forgotten Madison's role. He appoints his associate Secretary of State, in whose post he stayed from 1801 to 1809. Historians have no doubt that James had a considerable influence on the development of the country at that time, since Jefferson constantly consulted with him.

Thus, James Madison advocated the idea of ​​creating a form of government in the United States called a 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 within the Republican Party itself, designed to help nominate the most promising candidate. Oddly enough, Madison never made a campaign speech, and supporters in the party achieved his popularization. As in many cases, James managed to negotiate with some of the opponents of his nomination by making 60-year-old George Clinton vice president.

This was done only as a tribute, because this person simply physically could not perform his direct duties. Already in 1812, he was replaced by Elbridge Gerry, who showed himself as a competent professional as vice president.

The main merits of the new president

In 1808, the Americans had one topic to discuss - talk about the damage that the trade embargo of 1807, adopted by Great Britain and its satellites, caused them. Exports fell sharply, many goods had to be smuggled out, which caused their value to drop significantly. The shipowners demanded to urgently resume transportation, because otherwise the entire transport system would have fallen into disrepair within just a couple of years. James Madison (his domestic policy was distinguished by balance) did a lot to minimize the damage, developing internal trade and gradually achieving the lifting of the embargo.

Much of Madison's government program relied on so-called "Frugal Government." 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. Madison's attitude towards the Indians was also very remarkable, with whom he sympathized and offered to provide assistance, including monetary compensation! For that time, this was indeed a breakthrough, but this idea did not receive the approval of the party majority.

Emphasis on agriculture and industrial production

Madison fully shared Jefferson's beliefs in the supreme value of agriculture, but also recognized that the further expansion and strengthening of the United States would be impossible without a strong industrial base. It is the development of agriculture and industrial production that characterizes almost the entire time of his reign.

What led to the war with Great Britain?

The desire to reach an agreement did not always go to the benefit of this president. So, when forming a new government, he was largely bound by his contractual obligations, and therefore this body in many respects included very mediocre managers. The only exception was Albert Gallatin, who remained from the composition of the old government. He was able to get into the State Department even from Maryland, who in 1811 urgently needed to be replaced by James Monroe due to complete insolvency and, possibly, dementia.

But still, James Madison, whose breadth differed) showed himself to be quite an energetic and decisive ruler. It was he who in 1810 openly announced the expansion of West Florida, which had previously belonged to the Spanish crown. Shortly thereafter, the rebels, without further ado, seized Spanish territory and proclaimed the establishment of a republic. As early as 1811, the president announced that the United States had claims to East Florida as well. In the end, it was possible to agree with the Spaniards ... but not with the British, who in every possible way interfered with this process. Because of their stubbornness, the war began.

But at the same time, the president was sharply against such a development of events. James Madison, whose quotes are still studied in American schools, said the following on this occasion: “Of all the enemies of public liberty, war should be most feared, for in it the germs of all others are contained and flourish.” Nevertheless, we still had to fight.

The beginning of the war

In the middle of 1812, the United States received a message from the British Foreign Minister that his country was not going to unilaterally lift the trade blockade. In principle, Napoleon was also busy with the same thing, and therefore the Americans could declare war on two European powers at once. But common sense still prevailed.

From the British, the threat came more clearly, and the young state would clearly not have drawn a war on two fronts. At the beginning of the summer, James Madison (whose biography we are briefly considering) tells Parliament that it will be necessary to declare war on Great Britain, which ... threatens the unity and the very fact of the existence of the American nation. It was recognized that the confiscation of American ships, the kidnapping and murder of US citizens, and the incitement of Indian tribes were crimes subject to universal condemnation. Despite the decision to declare war, it was not easy.

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

Failed truce

Oddly enough, the British soon announced the suspension of the trade blockade, after which the US government proposed a truce. Madison himself demanded an unconditional cessation of hostilities at sea, the release of captured sailors and an end to the robbery of coastal cities. But already at the end of 1812, Great Britain rejected all these conditions, after which the war continued.

The central states were extremely dissatisfied with the ongoing hostilities. Therefore, in the winter of that year, a commission was created to re-elect Madison. But this failed, although not a single vote was cast for the president from the central states. In 1814, after two years of war, the position of the Americans worsened even more, as Napoleon capitulated in Europe. The British were able to transfer the liberated divisions, after which the Capitol and the White House were burned to the ground, and Madison himself and the government fled in a hurry.

The situation, however, was soon rectified, and in 1815 a peace treaty was signed. Soon the president retires, but even there he takes an active part in building a 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 blacks and the right to return everyone to Africa. What is characteristic: there were only a few of them.

And one of the creators of the American constitution. Born in Port Conway (Virginia) on March 16, 1751. Having received a private education, Madison entered Princeton University in 1769, then called the College of New Jersey, and graduated in 1771. In college, he became a member of the debating club of the American Whig Society, which determined the circle his future interests.

Madison first came to the attention of the Virginians in 1775, when he was appointed chairman of the Revolutionary Security Committee in Orange County and became the author of anti-British resolutions. After being elected to the Virginia constitutional convention in 1776, he was appointed a member of the committee entrusted with the preparation of the text of the declaration of rights and the draft government. Madison also proposed an amendment for the separation of church and state in Virginia, which was initially rejected and later passed. He was elected a member of the first assembly of Virginia under the new state government, the creation of which he helped. Having suffered a defeat in the election for a new term, he was appointed in 1777 a member of the governor's council.

Three years later he was elected to represent Virginia at the Continental Congress, and from 1780 to 1783 he remained an exceptionally active participant. One by one, he introduced amendments that gave Congress financial authority to levy on the states, to levy imports, and to distribute among the states interest on the national debt in proportion to the number of inhabitants. Madison's early interest in the West manifested itself in his repeated demands for freedom of navigation on the Mississippi. In 1782, he proposed a compromise plan in which Virginia agreed to transfer part of the territory in the west of the state to the central government. Renouncing the post of envoy to Spain, Madison returned to Virginia in November 1783 and a year later was elected to the state assembly, where he successfully fought for the adoption on December 26, 1785 of Jefferson's proposed freedom of religion bill.

Madison's most important accomplishment during these years was organizing a movement to replace the weak and decentralized government provided by the Articles of Confederation with a strong nationwide government. Strongly supporting the trade conferences at Mount Vernon and Annapolis in 1785–1786, he, together with A. Hamilton, sought the approval of the delegates for the idea of ​​convening a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Even before its convocation in 1787, Madison had prepared a list of proposals for a new system of government, many of which were included in the so-called. The Virginia plan submitted to the convention for approval. Madison pushed for a strong national government and even suggested that Congress be given veto power over laws passed by the states. He became one of the leading participants in the debate, and his notes, first published in 1840, are still the main source of information about how the US Constitution was created. Madison was also in the forefront of the defenders of the new constitution, as the author of 24 of the 85 Federalist Notes he did more than anyone else, with the possible exception of Hamilton, to get it accepted by the states. He also managed to get it through the convention of his state, despite the strong anti-federalist opposition, led by P. Henry and J. Mason. Defeated by the anti-federalists in the elections to the US Senate, he was elected to the first composition of the House of Representatives.

During the first session of Congress, Madison collaborated with the new Secretary of the Treasury, A. Hamilton, introducing and supporting the measures he proposed. Congress adopted resolutions prepared by Madison, providing for the creation of ministries and departments of the new government. In addition, he proposed six of the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, commonly referred to as the Bill of Rights. However, during the second session of Congress, Madison opposed Hamilton's proposals to pay off the national debt and reluctantly agreed to the state's taking over the states' debts. He criticized the US Bank Bill, the decision to raise import tariffs, and the pro-British foreign policy. By 1792, Madison became the leader of the group that formed the Democratic Republican Party, four years later he supported Jefferson against J. Adams in the presidential election.

After leaving Congress in 1797, Madison apparently hoped to permanently settle in Montpelier, Orange County, Virginia. However, the adoption in 1798 of laws on foreigners and incitement to sedition again prompted him to engage in political activities. In protest, he drafted the Virginia Resolutions, which modified similar resolutions drafted by Jefferson and passed by the Kentucky legislature.

Madison turned down Jefferson's offer to become the Democratic-Republican nominee for president and chose to support Jefferson's candidacy. After his election, he was appointed Secretary of State. For eight years, Madison carried out the foreign policy of the Democrats-Republicans, although the main role in its development most likely belonged to the president.

In 1808, Madison himself was elected president, defeating C. Pinckney in the election. As head of state, he tried to preserve the spirit and political course of the Jefferson administration, but failed in an attempt to protect the US right to neutrality by applying economic coercion to the warring European powers. In 1810, such measures were directed against Great Britain, and a year later, Madison actually admitted that the principles of the Jeffersonian embargo were wrong. On June 1, 1812, Madison petitioned Congress to declare war on Great Britain. Until the end of the war, chaos reigned in the country, there was a threat of secession, financial difficulties. Defeats in the war were crowned with humiliation after the capture and burning of Washington by the British. At the suggestion of Madison, the terms of the peace provided for the preservation of the territorial status in the pre-war form.

During the last two years of Madison's presidency, he and his party responded to nationalist sentiment with many of the measures previously proposed by the Federalists. In a short time, laws were approved and signed to create the Second Bank of the United States and on a protective tariff on imports.

In March 1817, Madison left the presidency and retired to Montpelier. He worked actively to publish his notes on the Constitutional Convention and maintained a keen interest in the internal affairs of the state. Of all the issues of a national nature that arose in those years, he was most concerned with the problem of slavery. During the South Carolina tariff nullification crisis of 1832–1833, Madison vigorously rejected claims that the doctrines promulgated in the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions sanctioned nullification or secession. Madison died at Montpelier on June 28, 1836.