James+Madison+-+CRD+-+SP09

James Madison 1. Federalist

2. Virginia. Chesapeake area, most populous state at the time.

3. Lawyer. Madison was the son of a wealthy planter, and was a high class individual.

4. As a delegate to the Continental Congress (1780–83), Madison was considered a "legislative workhorse" and a master of parliamentary detail. Madison's draft of the Virginia Plan and his three-branch federal system became the basis for the American Constitution.

5. In Virginia, Madison led the fight for ratification at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, arguing with Patrick Henry and others who sought revisions (such as the Bill of Rights) before its ratification. Madison is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" for his role in its drafting and ratification. He obviously voted for ratification.

6. Madison believed that a “stronger central government would cure faltering domestic security, uncertain economic conditions and investment climate, fragmented markets and hampered internal commerce, poor and declining international credibility, failure to provide for the common defense against Native or European threats, lack of protection for property and money lent out or otherwise risked, and inter-state feuding over land claims, contributions, etc.” His argument was that liberty would be more secure with a larger unified political entity rather than small ones, reasoning that no group would be able to form an absolute majority. Under the Articles of Confederation, no provisions were made for an executive branch to enforce the laws or for a national court system to interpret them. A legislature was essentially the national government, but it had no power to force the states to do anything they didn't want to. Friends: - James Madison - Alexander Hamilton Foes : - Patrick Henry - George Mason - William Grayson - James Monroe

Works Cited "James Madison." __Virtualology__. 12 Feb. 2009 . Peters, William. __A More Perfect__ __Union__. New York: Crown, INC., 1987. *Publius. "Federalist no. 51." __New York__ __Independent Journal__ (1788).