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James Madison (March 16, 1751- June 28, 1836) Republican 1808 and 1812 (1808-1816) First Term VP: George Clinton; Second term VP: Elbridge Gerry
 * President’s full name** (Include birth and death dates) (2 points)
 * Political party of the president** (2 points)
 * Dates of the term or terms of office** (2 points)
 * Vice President by term (2 points)**

Subjective Evaluation of the presidency and administration of James Madison
Overall, James Madison must be given the grade of an A for his leadership during his terms of presidency. He was a founding father, charged with the task of building a foundation for a new and struggling nation during a time of dependency with the British and French in matters of trade and a drive for expansionism along the eastern shoreline. Known as the Father of the Constitution, he worked toward establishing a plan of government was a compromise of his original vision and

As a politician, he would have been charged with the duty of pleasing as many of the people as possible given the stresses and conflicts during his day. He was caught in the spot where people criticized him for the War of 1812 from one side of the mouths and then from the other that he didn’t win it. During his presidency tensions between the United States and Great Britain and France dominated. Madison shouldn’t be discredited too severely for his being tricked by France into the trade prohibition with the British. When looking at the communication lines during that time, it was easy to understand how misinformation and deceit could be hidden or discovered after policy was set into action. It is ironic that news of the British revocation of restrictions on American shipping didn’t reach Madison- but, maybe it is also an example of how sometimes war is without reason just inevitable. The British did provoke Indian uprisings and there was much jockeying for land—the war was coming, it simple ignited during Madison’s watch. He governed during a time where a fledgling nation was being tested. His understanding of the Constitution and adherence to a strong federal power, and his commitment to a checks and balances government along with a separation of church and state and a devotion to individual rights leading to the Bill of Rights give him a strong “A” in the his presidency. Madison’s grade is somewhat diminished because his personal leadership in war preparations and execution would be judged against the considerable skill of his predecessor, George Washington. He couldn’t put together a war machine and his shortcomings in this area lead to serious military defeats and the actual sacking of the nation’s capitol and burning of the White House. The outcome of the confrontation might be worthy of dropping him whole grade letters because no grounds were gained in the problem of “impressments” of American sailors or even the shipping neutralities. He only gained land that had been lost but owned before. The reason that the war didn’t handicap his legacy is that it proved that the United States was a force to be reckoned with. The nation had solidified and had negotiated peace with a sovereign nation. (Treaty of Ghent) The navy warships held their own. The nation under Madison was war tested and did not crumble. Madison oversaw the coming of age of the nation in international relations. The result was not so important as the position the US found itself in at the end of the conflicts. His grade should be enhanced by his choice of spouse and his willingness to give her domestic responsibilities that permitted her charm and social graces to bloom and enhance his political appeal. Her quick thinking during the siege against Washington saved precious artifacts from the Whitehouse, including most notably the portrait of George Washington. His grade is also made stronger by his moral fabric. His total commitment to the nation drove his decisions and the dedication to that cause enhances his ranking. A hypochondriac, Madison was not as charismatic and beloved as some of the other founding fathers, but this quirk didn’t give him an excuse to avoid responsibility and doesn’t diminish his place in history. Another reason his presidency should be given high marks is that after the war the nation experienced a few very good years. A national bank was established and a tariff act protecting American industry from foreign competition was signed. His strong federalism viewpoints coupled with an economic analysis for most conduct brought a strong leadership to strengthen a young nation. The climate of nationalism was in part developed through Madison’s ability to advocate for a strong federal identity. During these good years the nation experienced a strong national navy, a standing professional army and great growth of canals, roads and bridges. The goals of his presidency included strengthening the federal identity but was marred by the pressures with England and France concerning trade. The nation needed this enterprise but was unable to stand as equals before the strong France and Great Britain. At first Madison traded with neither in response to the conflicts and then with both, saying that the first who would agree to the American view of neutral rights, would see America forbid trade with the other. Napoleon agreed with false intent and America declared “non-intercourse” with Great Britain. This led to war. It certainly wasn’t Madison’s plan to go to war. He was known to say, “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare, “ and, “The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war.” But in the face of war, the nation proved some important basics and was on solid ground afterward from outside challenges and internal power shifts. Probably his one defining moment within his leadership that was pivotal in the direction of the nation would have been his honoring his agreement with France that should they lift trade restrictions the nation would align against Great Britain. Keeping this promise surely led to a war he didn’t want to fight and for which the national was unprepared. The outcome was still pretty great in that even though there were no real strong military successes, the country believed in itself and in its power to stand among the world leaders such as the French and English as equals. If he had avoided this war, he would not have had such a rallying point. Madison’s relationship with Congress was more positive than negative. The New England Federalists who had opposed the war and talked of succession were so overcome by the end of his terms that the party of Federalism virtually disappeared. The Congress acted with the embargo requested by Madison in early 1812. The war hawks were influential, but they worked together.

Overall, America was better off at the end of James Madison’s presidency than it was before. At the start, it was a fledgling nation that was being tested through embagos against it, high seas conscription and piracy, talk of internal succession, power grabbing foreign nations and without respect that it could put into practice the high and nobel plans Madison helped define through the Federalist Papers, the Constitution and subsequent structural plans. By the end of his presidency, the nation had been tested both militarily and internationally. Without great victories, the nation passed the test of military strength. The creation of a national bank and clear separation of powers supported the strength of the nation. Development of an infrastructure such as roads, bridges and canals proved the nation to be able to use Federal controls to be able to unify and bind together the varied states. He was a framer and defender of the constitution and his legacy places him among the top presidents in terms of success.

Bibliography:

“About the White House: Presidents.” //Biography of James Madison.// .

Dean, John. //Ranking Presidents – Utter Nonsense or Useful Analysis?//. Findlaw Legal News and Commentary. 11 May 2001 (31 Aug. 2009). .

“James Madison.” Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2009. (18 Sept. 2009). .__

__Padover, Saul Kussiel, ed. //The Complete Madison: His Basic Writings.// New York: Harper, 1953.

Wills, Garry. //James Madison.// New York: Times Book, 2002. “C-Span 2009 Historians Presidential Leadership Survey.” C-Span Survey of Presidential Leadership -Overall Ranking - C-Span. 31 Aug. 2009) .__