Bekah+A.++Madison

James Madison Jr. March 16, 1751 King George County, VA – June 28, 1836 Montpelier Estate, VA   Republican Term 1: 1808 – 1812 Term 2: 1812 -1816 Vice President George Clinton 1808 – 1812 Vice President Elbridge Gerry 1813 – 1814

James Madison proved the American identity to be a neutral yet defensive one. Madison stated in his first inaugural address that “it has been a true glory of the United States to cultivate peace by observing justice, and … by fulfilling their neutral obligations.” Not one to be a coward, Madison later reaffirmed his views in the second inaugural address when he wrote the declaration of war. These both stated that war was necessary only in the protection of human rights and that Britain was tearing citizens from their country and forcibly placing them upon enemy ships.
 * Thematic Context **

Madison has earned a B+ for his presidency. He made multiple attempts at resolving the trade embargo issue with France and Britain. Madison appropriately entered a war for the protection of his citizens, which consequently stimulated the economy. He also entered a treaty with a country of vulnerability and did not choose representatives who were aggressive as they could have been.
 * Thesis **

In Madison’s first inaugural address he stated the successfulness of a neutral America and praised the ability of its people to achieve peace by observing justice. Although not stated as a goal, Madison failed to maintain a neutral government so adored in his address by entering the War of 1812. In his second inaugural address Madison reflected back upon the previous term and explained the necessity of a war in the idea of protecting citizen’s rights and that no “ courtesy or humanity have been infringed.”
 * Presidential Goals **

Madison passed a majority of acts send to his desk by Congress. Congress also respected Madison by narrowly passing his declaration of war by a 79 – 49 vote in the House of Representatives and a 19 – 13 vote in the Senate. His major veto was that of internal improvements. The bill allowed federal funds to be used in the building of highways and canals. He stated that the bill ‘exceeded Congress’s constitutional authority to provide for the general welfare.’
 *  Congressional Relations **

The War of 1812 proved to be the best impact to Madison’s presidential terms. The war did not surrender any land, with the Treaty of Gent returning all lands to those countries who owned them before the war. Embargoes and seizure of American ships ceased following the war and a British blockade during it strengthened American manufacturing and reduced dependency on European markets. The worst decision during Madison’s administration was largely out of his control. Madison sent John Quincy Adams, James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, Albert Gallatin and Jonathan Russell to negotiate the Treaty of Ghent with Britain. Starting out well, they denied Britain’s greedy requests of the Great Lakes region and part of Maine. When Britain learned of the substantial American victory in the Battle of New Orleans they became uneasy and settled for the land acquired before the war, the American negotiators did not take advantage of the worried British negotiators. Taking advantage could have easily forced a resolution of The Orders in Council or the Indian allies of Britain.
 * Most Impactful Outcomes **

The largest impact on future presidential administrations was the War of 1812. This is not due to the war itself, but rather the result. British blockades resulted in manufacturing advances in America. An increased manufacturing led to a growing economy. The growing economy of America would provide future administrations with less imports to tariff, but also less worries of a blockades and trade embargoes due to less dependence on European goods.
 * Future Presidential Administrations **

America was better off at the end of Madison’s presidency than at the beginning. Madison began the resolution of the British and French embargoes by entering the War of 1812. He also indirectly improved the American economy and manufacturing by declaring war with the British, who performed a blockade on American trade ships. Madison did not severely hurt the country by entering the war because it ended with the same land it began the war with. He was also extremely intelligent in entering the war with Britain while it was preoccupied with Napoleon.
 * Conclusion **

Bailey, Thomas A., David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. "233." The American pageant; a history of the Republic. 12th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. 255. Print. DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee Stuart. "James Madison." The complete book of U.S. presidents. 7th ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books, 2005. 54-70. Print.
 * Bibliography **