Shannon+-+JM+-+SP13

James Madison Birth and Death date: March 16, 1751-June 28, 1836 Party: Democratic-Republican Terms: March 4, 1809-March 3, 1817 Vice Presidents: George Clinton (1809-1812) Elbridge Gerry (1813-1814) During Madison’s terms there was only one event that effected slavery. The Treaty of Ghent in 1814 ended the War of 1812, but the treaty also had an agreement for both America and Britain to work towards ending the slave trade. This agreement was not effective because slaves were still being brought in illegally. There were no other big events that happened from 1809 to 1817 that affected slavery. Although the Treaty of Ghent tried to end slaves being into America, slavery was neither strengthened nor weakened during this time period.
 * Thematic Content **

 Madison and his administration deserve a B for their efforts in office. Macon’s Bill no. 2 was one of the worst bills that came out of Madison’s presidency. The Second Bank of the United States was another plan that backfired on America. The bank was supposed to be like the first Bank of the United States, but with some minor changes. These changes had brobdingnagian effects on the entire bank. Finally, the War of 1812 was one of the better sides of Madison’s time as president.
 * Thesis **

The Democratic-Republicans had control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate for both of Madison’s terms. Madison vetoed a bill that would provide federal funding for the construction of roads and canals. In his veto message, he stated that while this would benefit the public, it was out of Congress’s Constitutional authority. Other than this one event, Madison and his Congress had a positive relationship.
 * Relationship with Congress **

In Madison’s first inaugural address, he talks about how America keeps peace with justice and how important neutrality is. The neutrality is what has kept America in peace. In his second inaugural address, Madison discusses the War of 1812. The war was necessary and did not infringe on justice, honor, or humanity. This was the justification of the war. In his first term, he saw neutrality and peace as a goal of America, and kept it, for the most part, as a goal up until the outbreak of the war. In his second term, he saw the protection of the nation and winning the war as goals of the United States. Clearly, over four years, Madison’s view on what would benefit the country changed.
 * Goals **

The War of 1812 was caused by British impressment of American citizens and goods, British encouragement of Native American vexation, and the rise of War Hawks wanting to capture Canada. The first two reasons for the war were completely understandable for going to war. The Americans deserved fair and equal rights at sea and Britain and France were not giving this. American had to make a choice between “peace” - letting the British continue to walk all over them and continue to not have a backbone - or war. Madison made a good decision by asking Congress to declare war. With Congress representing the people they made the decision that would be the best for all citizens, to go to war. Everyone who supported Madison when he ran for president also supported the war. It is not like this war just happened. America took many steps and options to try to receive equal maritime rights, but Britain and France weren’t willing to agree, therefore resulting in this war. The third reason, trying to capture Canada, is just ridiculous. America was just expanded to be twice as large when Jefferson was in office, so why worry about expanding America even more? This war was inevitable, but necessary, for America.
 * Positive Event **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The most negative event in Madison’s presidency was Macon’s Bill no. 2. When Madison saw that the Non-Intercourse Act was not working, he convinced Congress to pass Macon’s Bill no. 2 which repealed the Non-Intercourse Act. Once France or Britain agreed to respect America’s maritime rights, America would suspend trade with the other nation. France took advantage of this opportunity. Madison felt uneasy about trust Napoleon, but saw a chance get Britain to repeal their restrictions and decided to accept Napoleon’s offer. This backfired because Britain controlled the sea and the minor threat did nothing. Madison ended up reestablishing the embargo act against Britain alone.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Negative Event **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The most influential decision Madison and his administration made was entering into the War of 1812. Up until this point, America remained neutral in every situation possible. Once Madison decided to enter in the war, this neutrality that was so important to him in the majority of his first term, ended. The War of 1812 is also known as the Second War of Independence, which describes the results. Again, America had stood up for its rights and removed economic dependence on Britain. The economy increased from the removal on economic dependence because more domestic industries developed. “America had taken its first steps in the evolution from a largely agrarian nation into an industrial giant,” (DeGregorio 66).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Influential Decision **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Madison and his administration did a decent job during their time in the White House. When Madison was sworn in as president, America was peaceful but with much skepticism, domestic and abroad. At the end of Madison’s second term, America was peaceful and was taking a huge step towards economic independence and was on its way to becoming a world superpower. Yes, America did go through a war. A war that was necessary for the nation to receive the respect it deserved. For these reasons, Madison and his administration deserve a solid B.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Conclusion **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">DeGregorio, William A. "James Madison." //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. 4th ed. Avenel, New Jersey: Wings, 1993. 55-70. Print. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Home." //Our Documents//. NHD, NARA, USA Freedom Corps, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2013. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. "Chapter 11." //The American Pageant//. 12th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. 218-19. Print. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Second Bank of the United States (1816-1836)." GMW, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2013.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bibiolography **