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Constitutional Ratification Debate  Topic: Should the Constitution of the United States be ratified, or should the U.S. continue under its present government, the Articles of Confederation?

James Madison  Federalist

James Madison represented Virginia. This state relied heavily upon tobacco as their main export and cash crop. This crop drove the economy and was farmed on large plantations by slaves. Virginia had a large population of slaves and that number continued to grow as slave labor came in greater demand. Virginia was also known for being the most populous state of the colonies. It was well known as the birthplace of representative self-government because the London Company authorized the assemblage of the House of Burgesses.
 * State Represented **

 James Madison was raised on a tobacco plantation with many slaves in a very wealthy family. He later went on to attend the College of New Jersey, which is later known as Princeton University, to major in history and government. Madison participated in the creation of the Virginia Constitution, was a member of the Continental Congress, and was a well-known leader in the Virginia Assembly.
 * Occupation and Socioeconomic Background **

 He played a substantial role in the ratification of the Constitution by writing the Federalist Papers with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton which turned up in newspapers and spread around the colonies. Madison’s Virginia Plan which he helped ratify was also the basis of the United States Constitution. He took the floor the third most number of times despite being a poor speaker and having most of his proposals rejected. He also too what are regarded as the best notes of the Convention which he later made public.
 *  Discover whether the character was a member of the Constitutional Convention and what his role was at the convention. James Madison was a member of the Constitutional Convention. **

James Madison played the lead role in the ratification process in Virginia. If the Constitution were not ratified in Virginia, the Constitution would have most likely failed because Virginia was the most populous state. Madison went up against Patrick Henry and was able to provide irrefutable arguments and convince many prominent anti-federalist to vote for the ratification of the constitution, which in turn persuaded more to vote for the Federalist cause. James Madison voted for the ratification of the Constitution.
 *  Discover whether the character was a member of the state's ratifying convention and how he voted. **

James Madison believed the Articles of Confederation should be replaced with the constitution because when states have sovereignty, then tend to begin to rule over one another and they trespass on the rights of one another. A strong, unified federal government would be crucial in creating a medium currency to circulate through the states as well as handle treaties involving other parties, such as the Indians or French. He also believed that a federal government was vital to settle disputes between states. Previously, states had the ability to put their citizens above the interests of the nation. This created disruptions with foreign relations as well as domestic disputes.  Many anti-federalists feared a government with corrupt officials which endangered freedoms. But Madison believed a system of checks and balances would insure that no one branch of government would gain too much power. In this way, the government would limit itself.  Small republican governments run in states would create situations where the government is vulnerable to factions, or local majorities, who could rule the government. In creating a central government which governs a large territory, Madison believed it would prevent any single faction from gaining control of the government, thus extinguishing threats such as Shays Rebellion.
 * Become totally familiar with the character's arguments for and against ratification. Also, be sure to identify who their friends and foes were. **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Friends -Alexander Hamilton -John Jay -John Adams -Ben Franklin <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Foes -Patrick Henry -George Mason -Richard Henry Lee - Mercy Otis Warren -Samuel Bryan -Thomas Jefferson

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Works Cited <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alexander Hamilton and James Madison " Federalist Papers," Annals of American History. 12 Feb. 2013 <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <http://america.eb.com/america/article?articleId=385363&query=james+madison>

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Delegates to the Constitutional Convention:James Madison Jr." Delegates to the Constitutional Convention:James <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Madison Jr. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/madison.html>.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ellis, Joseph J. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000. Print.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> "James Madison." The White House. USA.gov, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/jamesmadison/>.