Sarah+G.++Madison

James Madison March 16, 1751 Port Conway, Virginia -June 28, 1836 Orange, Virginia Republican Party (Democratic-Republican Party) Two Terms in Office: 1st 1809-1813 2nd 1813-1817 Vice Presidents: 1st George Clinton (1809-1812) 2nd Elbridge Gerry (1813-1814) Dates of inauguration 1st March 4, 1809 2nd March 4, 1813

Thematic Context: American culture changed when the Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 was set in place. The act in adherence for France and Britain, was to ensure that trade was inert. Much like Jefferson's embargo, the Non-Intercourse act set the same boundries.The Non-Intercourse act was set to expire in a single year however congress set an early death to it with Macon's Bill. 2. Macon's Bill allowed for trade to become fluent with France and Britain again in the hopes of restoring economic health to America. Mason's Bill acted as a see-saw towards the large European countries. The see saw weighed on whether France and Britain were honest in the restrictions they so often implied, congress, in aggression would then re-instate the Jefferson's embargo. American culture lusted for riches, as the economy became profitable government opinion changed too. Congress was now aware of the power it possessed which became evident in 1806 when Napolean joined the game. Madison's agreement to resume it's previous embargo against Britain ironically created a blockade against Britain for France. Madison's decision later failed as the emabrgo was revoked and trade once again resumed with the motherland.

Thesis: Contrary to popular belief James Madison deserves a solid C for his presidency. Madison ambled aimlessly when it came to fareign affairs, when to his distrust congress ended the embargo that had limited foreign trade. This later spaked the war if 1812 with Britain, with which he himself made great strides however detrimented American growth and spurred greater conflict with Britain. The decision of war which was largely split was in favor of Madison's oipinion. (79-49 in the House, and 19-13 in the Senate) The decision caused tension in America and near treason of New England. Therefore earning Mr.Madison a Solid C.

Goals: Madison's goals as outlined by his inagural speech were plainly to keep the nation safe by allowing nations at war to be at war without involvement. Madison failed miserably as he agreed to place an embargo upon Britain, posed by Napolean, creating conflict with foreign power. Madison also stated in his inaugural address that he wanted to continue on the path set forth by Washington. Madison's war, the War of 1812 was the sum of differences within the government. Congress continually passed embargos and acts that Madison disliked, the lack of cohesevness clearly showed in the vote to declare war stated above. Thus Madison ultimately failed at his goalsfor his presidency.

Madison and the Legislature: Madison and the legislature; on paper, were pristine. The Senate and House were compromised of a majoirty of democratic-republicans. Madison himself a democratic-republican lacked a functional relationship with congress, passed both the Non-Intercourse Act and later the embargo which allowed trade with Britain, against Madisons decisions. Madison in return vetoed legislature which was loudly voiced at the time which includes that of funding for canals. Madison did howeever pass legislature for the Second Bank, after he origionally had vetoed it, in order to restore some sort of financial stability in wartime. Discrepincies in in congeress largely stemmed not from political difference rather than regional difference, much like how a land locked state may not approve funding for a levy on a sae-bearing state.

Madison's Poitive Atributes: Madison had little to account for positives. The Tariff of 1816 accounts for the majority of Madison's positive attributes in presidency. The tariff protected imports from foreign countries which helped to stabilze the economy of America. Madison's other swift decisions also included to not federally fund the construction of canals in America. While it may seem like a poor decision; as expansion of the nation was strongly encouraged, the funds were just not there with the financial instability that the war imposed. Therefore Madison wasn't a prime example of a president but did have some high-points in his presidency.

Madison's Many Mishaps: Contrary to beleif, the War of 1812 was not in Americas best interest, while nationaliosm did increase throughout the course of the war, it; like the Non-intercourse Act, tore the nation to pieces. New England was close to a rebellion against the administration, going as far as sending care packages to Brittish troops whil still in the Embrargo with France imposed by the infamous Napolean.

Future Impacts: The war of 1812, also known as Madison's war sparked much conflict within American states, and served as a reminder for interfering with internationakl conflict. The war; at the time in America, was a waste of funds as regions of America fought over the importance. New England for example opposed the war with the West and South encouraged it. The war however did bring about a self importance for the country. Nationalism blossomed and industry began in America. The lack of economic wealth and trade from France and Britain forced Americans to be self-sufficient. The creation of new jobs and business was able to start the industrial growth of the nation. Setting up funds for the expansion of, as well as the interest in coming to America.

Conclusion: In conclusion Madison both influenced the culture in america and in doing so earned a C for his presidency. America began to unravel through the war of 1812, and Non-Incourse Act before the war. Luckily for Madison though, the country rose out of the ashes to become a nation which did not need to be dependant upon foreign trade to be economically stable, changing the culture of America. However, Madison's decision to place an embargo on Britain in agreeance with France not only defied his initial goals of his presidency, as well as putting the independace of the country at risk. Therefore Madison deserves a solid and final C for his presidency.

Bibliography: (The Wiki-page will not allow mw to post the bibliography, however I used sources such as "The American Pageant" and Joshua Meisenhelter, and Dilina Patel. I did create citations for them and I thank them for the work they have worked so hard on! Side note: I did not want to use fellow students, however they have search engines blocked and approve only sepcified websites (I have access to wikispaces and easybib momentarily.)