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// Political Party: Democratic- Republicans // // Dates in Office: March 4, 1809 - March 4, 1817 // // Vice Presidents: George Clinton and Elbridge Gerry // Having big shoes to fill, James Madison, a quiet, yet very intellectual Virginian, was sworn into presidency March 4, 1809. However, Madison, at that point in time, was inheriting the presidency as the European conflict, between Britain and France, was reaching its peak. Further hindering Madison as a president was the fact that, even though he was a distinguished legislator, he was not strong enough as president. Because his presence was not as commanding as his predecessor's, James Madison found himself in trouble many times for his inability to dominate the Legislative Branch. Although he had noble intentions and did work hard as president, because of his timidity and struggle with maintaining control and order in America, James Madison's presidency deserves the grade of a C-.
 * James Madison**

Madison's most predominant goal was the final success and determination of America's independence. However, when Madison began his presidency, he entered while America was trying to get back up from the great economic depression that had resulted from the Embargo Act. After failing to entice the British with Macon's Bill No. 2, Madison found himself at a stage he had always devoutly abhorred. After the British pushed the last of America's button by arming hostile Indians, James Madison found war with Britain to be unavoidable and, on June 1 of 1812, Madison asked Congress to declare war. The War of 1812, also known as Mr. Madison's War, has gone down in history as one of America's worst fought wars. Americans were extremely divided and disunified and many, mainly Federalists, even went to the extent of committing treason by lending money, sending huge quantities of supplies and foodstuffs to Canada and by states refusing to allow their militias to fight outside of their own states. After several years of British and American blows, both sides were brought over to Ghent, Belgium, where the Treaty of Ghent was signed and both sides agreed to stop fighting and restore conquered land. Even though neither side could claim the victory, Madison found his country in a strong state of nationalism. Other nations, also, developed a new sense of respect for the Americans. In economic and diplomatic senses, the War of 1812 could be considered America's Second War for Independence; industries that had been stimulated by the fighting were now less dependent on Europe’s workshops. Overall, the Americans proved their independence showing that they could defend themselves and that they could resist what they regarded as grievous wrongs.

Unlike his success in achieving his goal for presidency, however, James Madison seemed to fail in his relations with Congress. Although the Congress had a majority of seats that were Democratic- Republic, Madison found himself handicapped as president by factions within his own party and cabinet. For his lack of assertiveness, very often, Madison found risky foreign policies in his hands, almost none being of his own idea or writing. A perfect example is Macon’s Bill No. 2. The Non- Intercourse Act of 1809, which replaced Jefferson’s Embargo Act, was due to expire in 1810. Congress took measures into their own hands, dismissing the embargo completely and producing Macon’s Bill No. 2. This bill reopened American trade with the world while also attempting to entice Britain and France to repeal commercial restrictions. Albeit the bill left the determination of whom the American ally would be, Madison was appalled at the bill and felt that it basically proclaimed that the United States could not survive without depending on one of the two powers. Having no other choice, Madison stuck with the bill, which ended up failing in the end.

Along with achieving his goal for presidency, most likely Madison’s most positive outcome was the outcome of the War of 1812. Turning to war had been a last resort for Madison, so, added to a very poor American performance, the first fruits of Madison’s decision weren’t good. However, coming out of the war, not only did America prove its independence, a time of strong nationalism was ushered in. This new spirit reached from literature to finance and even revived the Bank of the United States. Most, if not all, of James Madison’s actions had good and noble intentions but his management in the Second War for Independence was faulty and erratic at best. Madison relied on the advice of individuals who were not fit in any way to be giving that type of advice to him and he also appointed inadequate generals to very important posts. Moreover, Madison’s first objective was to obtain Canada, but he was humiliated after several defeats near Montreal. James Madison was additionally the first and only president to foolishly go directly to the fighting front. These actions resulted in the early setbacks in the war effort.

As president, Madison’s most influential decision was probably his decision to support the judicial branch so as to establish checks and balances on the executive and legislative branches. Madison emphasized that while the Supreme Court was one institution that could interpret the Constitution, the state legislatures could, at minimum, petition Congress to repeal what they deemed unjust or unconstitutional legislation, cooperate in a united effort to petition Congress to introduce a constitutional amendment, and that the state legislatures could propose a constitutional amendment to Congress.

The presidency of James Madison covered a problem- strewn time period. From the War of 1812, to Macon’s Bill No. 2, the positives and negatives seemingly cancel out. James Madison did contribute a lot to the American history however his performance was much different as president than it was as a diplomat and legislator. Because of his struggles and disability with producing success for the American people, James Madison deserves a C- for his overall grade for his presidency.

Bibliography:

"James Madison (1809-1817)." //Consumer Reviews//. RateItAll, 2008. Web. 19 Feb. 2010. [].

"James Madison." //Answers.com//. 2010. Web. 18 Feb. 2010. [].

Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. //The American Pageant//. 12th ed. Houghton Mifflin Company. Print.