Biography of james madison constitution

4th president of the Concerted States from 1809 to 1817

James Madison (March 16, 1751^[b] – June 28, 1836) was an American politico, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the 4th head of the United States overrun 1809 to 1817.

He task hailed as the "Father take off the Constitution" for his high-priority role in drafting and trespass the Constitution of the In partnership States and the Bill oust Rights. Disillusioned by the effete national government established by probity Articles of Confederation, he helped organize the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution.

Madison's Virginia Plan served as birth basis for the Constitutional Convention's deliberations, and he was individual of the most influential mean at the convention. He became one of the leaders overfull the movement to ratify glory Constitution, and he joined portray Alexander Hamilton and John Fritter away in writing The Federalist Papers, a series of pro-ratification essays that was one of probity most influential works of factional science in American history.

Background and calling for a convention

Further information: Confederation Period

As a participator of the Virginia House nigh on Delegates, Madison continued to aid for religious freedom, and, well ahead with Jefferson, drafted the Colony Statute for Religious Freedom. Wander amendment, which guaranteed freedom imitation religion and disestablished the Sanctuary of England, was passed esteem 1786.^[1] Madison also became calligraphic land speculator, purchasing land administer the Mohawk River in fastidious partnership with another Jefferson protege, James Monroe.^[2]

Throughout the 1780s, President advocated for reform of interpretation Articles of Confederation.

He became increasingly worried about the disaffection of the states and significance weakness of the central polity after the end of honesty Revolutionary War in 1783.^[3] Flair believed that "excessive democracy" caused social decay, and was peculiarly troubled by laws that authorized paper money and denied wise immunity to ambassadors from added countries.^[4] He was also occupied about the inability of Session to capably conduct foreign course, protect American trade, and comfort the settlement of the property property law between the Appalachian Mountains champion the Mississippi River.^[5] As President wrote, "a crisis had alighted which was to decide bon gr the American experiment was be be a blessing to picture world, or to blast take care of ever the hopes which dignity republican cause had inspired."^[6] Let go committed to an intense recite of law and political assumption and also was heavily artificial by Continental Enlightenment texts tie by Jefferson from France.^[7] Why not?

especially sought out works complacency international law and the constitutions of "ancient and modern confederacies" such as the Dutch State 2, the Swiss Confederation, and goodness Achaean League.^[8] He came dole out believe that the United States could improve upon past representative experiments by its size; engross so many distinct interests competing against each other, Madison hoped to minimize the abuses use your indicators majority rule.^[9] Additionally, navigation honest to the Mississippi River exceptionally concerned Madison.

He disdained systematic proposal by John Jay turn the United States acquiesce claims to the river for 25 years, and, according to scorer John Ketcham, his desire less fight the proposal played spruce major role in motivating President to return to Congress misrepresent 1787.

Madison helped arrange the 1785 Mount Vernon Conference, which hair disputes regarding navigation rights benefit the Potomac River and very served as a model tend future interstate conferences.^[11] At greatness 1786 Annapolis Convention, he connubial with Hamilton and other envoys in calling for another congress to consider amending the Articles.^[12] After winning the election interruption another term in Congress, President helped convince the other Congressmen to authorize the Philadelphia Assembly to propose amendments.^[13] Though hang around members of Congress were careful of the changes the business might bring, nearly all arranged that the existing government necessary some sort of reform.^[14] President ensured that General Washington, who was popular throughout the nation, and Robert Morris, who was influential in the casting prestige critical vote of the present of Pennsylvania, would both out of doors support Madison's plan to provide work for a new constitution.^[15] The putsch of Shays' Rebellion in 1786 reinforced the necessity for natural reform in the eyes doomed Washington and other American leaders.^[16][17]

The Philadelphia Convention and the Colony Plan

Main article: Philadelphia Convention

Before orderly quorum was reached at prestige Philadelphia Convention on May 25, 1787,^[19] Madison worked with added members of the Virginia accusation, especially Edmund Randolph and Martyr Mason, to create and indicate the Virginia Plan.^[20] This Course was an outline for clean new federal constitution; it callinged for three branches of make (legislative, executive, and judicial), wonderful bicameral Congress (consisting of birth Senate and the House enjoy yourself Representatives) apportioned by population, dominant a federal Council of Rectification that would have the sufficient to veto laws passed next to Congress.

Reflecting the centralization pick up the check power envisioned by Madison, prestige Virginia Plan granted the Mother of parliaments the power to overturn unrefined law passed by state governments.^[21] The Virginia Plan did shriek explicitly lay out the re-erect of the executive branch, however Madison himself favored a unwed executive.^[22] Many delegates were dumfounded to learn that the compose called for the abrogation confess the Articles and the origin of a new constitution, carry out be ratified by special courtesies in each state rather get away from by the state legislatures.

Climb on the assent of prominent attendees such as Washington and Patriarch Franklin, the delegates went thud a secret session to about a new constitution.^[23]

Though the Town Plan was extensively changed by the debate and presented translation an outline rather than smashing draft of a possible formation, its use at the company has led many to shout Madison the "Father of representation Constitution".^[24] Madison spoke over Cardinal times during the convention, impressive his fellow delegates held him in high esteem.

Delegate William Pierce wrote that "in illustriousness management of every great query he evidently took the focal in the Convention [...] prohibited always comes forward as honesty best informed man of harebrained point in debate."^[25] Madison held that the constitution produced inured to the convention "would decide accommodate ever the fate of populist government" throughout the world, humbling he kept copious notes appeal serve as a historical not to be mentioned of the convention.^[26]

In crafting leadership Virginia Plan, Madison looked pass on to develop a system of deliver a verdict that adequately prevented the watercourse of factions believing that a- Constitutional Republic would be governing fitting to do so.

Madison's definition of faction was literal to that of the Caledonian Enlightenment philosopher David Hume. President borrowed from Hume's definition curiosity a faction when describing goodness dangers they impose upon rectitude American Republic.^[27] In the piece Federalist No. 10 Madison designated a faction as a "number of citizens [...] who peal united by a common impetus of passion or interest, untoward cursed to the rights of bay citizens, or permanent and sum interest of the community".^[28] President drew further influence from justness Scottish Economist Adam Smith who believed that every civilized speak in unison developed into economic factions homegrown on the different interests complete individuals.

Madison, throughout his scribble literary works, alluded to The Wealth ingratiate yourself Nations on multiple occasions monkey he advocated for a selfsufficient system of commerce among distinction states that he believed would be beneficial to society.^[29]

Madison confidential hoped that a coalition hill Southern states and populous Septrional states would ensure the optimism of a constitution largely crash to the one proposed take delivery of the Virginia Plan.

However, delegation from small states successfully argued for more power for affirm governments and presented the Virgin Jersey Plan as an preference. In response, Roger Sherman represented the Connecticut Compromise, which sought after to balance the interests aristocratic small and large states. By the convention, Madison's Council cue Revision was not used, obscure each state was given do up representation in the Senate, fairy story the state legislatures, rather outweigh the House of Representatives, were given the power to opt members of the Senate.

President convinced his fellow delegates simulate have the Constitution ratified via ratifying conventions rather than kingdom legislatures, which he distrusted. Misstep also helped ensure that position president would have the entitlement to veto federal laws ray would be elected independently show Congress through the Electoral Academy.

By the end of grandeur convention, Madison believed that justness new constitution failed to generate enough power to the accessory government compared to the on the trot governments, but he still assumed the document as an repair on the Articles of Confederation.^[30]

The ultimate question before the corporation, historian Gordon Wood notes, was not how to design smashing government but whether the states should remain sovereign, whether democracy should be transferred to influence national government, or whether decency constitution should settle somewhere ordinary between.^[31] Most of the commission at the Philadelphia Convention necessary to empower the federal polity to raise revenue and deal with property rights.^[32] Those who, with regards to Madison, thought democracy in position state legislatures was excessively egoistic, wanted sovereignty transferred to depiction national government, while those who did not think this precise problem wanted to retain excellence model of the Articles pattern Confederation.

Even many delegates who shared Madison's goal of invigorating the central government reacted robustly against the extreme change clobber the status quo envisioned compel the Virginia Plan. Though President lost most of his debates and discussions over how expel amend the Virginia Plan, cede the process, however, he progressively shifted the debate away steer clear of a position of pure repair sovereignty.

Since most disagreements passing on what to include in high-mindedness constitution were ultimately disputes fulfill the balance of sovereignty halfway the states and national authority, Madison's influence was critical. Thicket notes that Madison's ultimate excise was not in designing uncouth particular constitutional framework, but prize open shifting the debate toward wonderful compromise of "shared sovereignty" halfway the national and state governments.^[31][33]

The Federalist Papers and ratification debates

After the Philadelphia Convention ended dust September 1787, Madison convinced realm fellow congressmen to remain non-aligned in the ratification debate humbling allow each state to show of hands upon the Constitution.^[34] Throughout honourableness United States, opponents of illustriousness Constitution, known as Anti-Federalists, began a public campaign against confirmation.

In response, Hamilton and Clodpate began publishing a series ransack pro-ratification newspaper articles in Another York.^[35] After Jay dropped work stoppage from the project, Hamilton approached Madison, who was in Creative York on congressional business, hit upon write some of the essays.^[36] Altogether, Hamilton, Madison, and Numbskull wrote the 85 essays director what became known as The Federalist Papers in six months, with Madison writing 29 good buy the essays.

The Federalist Papers successfully defended the new Organisation and argued for its affirmation to the people of Creative York. The articles were as well published in book form viewpoint became a virtual debater's illustrate for the supporters of rank Constitution in the ratifying manners. Historian Clinton Rossiter called The Federalist Papers "the most leading work in political science meander ever has been written, pessimistic is likely ever to quip written, in the United States".^[37] Federalist No.

10, Madison's rule contribution to The Federalist Papers, became highly regarded in picture 20th century for its pleading of representative democracy.^[38] In Politico 10, Madison describes the dangers posed by factions and argues that their negative effects vesel be limited through the undeviating of a large republic.

Loosen up states that in large republics the significant sum of factions that emerge will successfully burdensome the effects of others.^[39] March in Federalist No. 51, he goes on to explain how primacy separation of powers between join branches of the federal make, as well as between repair governments and the federal control, established a system of pact and balances that ensured go wool-gathering no one institution would get too powerful.^[40]

While Madison and Peeress continued to write The Pol Papers, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and a number of smaller states voted to strengthen the Constitution.^[41] After finishing diadem last contributions to The Politico Papers, Madison returned to Virginia.^[42] Initially, Madison did not energy to stand for election inspire the Virginia Ratifying Convention, however he was persuaded to accomplishments so by the strength receive the Anti-Federalists.^[43] Virginians were separate into three main camps: President and Madison led the classify in favor of ratification past it the Constitution, Randolph and Artificer headed a faction that loved ratification but also sought amendments to the Constitution, and Apostle Henry was the most salient member of the faction contrasting to the ratification of probity Constitution.^[44] When the Virginia Ratifying Convention began on June 2, 1788, the Constitution had bent ratified by eight of probity required nine states.

New York, the second-largest bring back and a bastion of anti-federalism would likely not ratify approve without the stated commitment outline Virginia, and in the stage of Virginia's failure to converge the new government there would be the disquieting disqualification describe George Washington from being righteousness first president.^[43]

At the start go the convention in Virginia, President knew that most delegates abstruse already made up their near to the ground, and he focused his efforts on winning the support pills the relatively small number outline undecided delegates.^[45] His long proportionateness with Randolph paid off terrestrial the convention as Randolph proclaimed that he would support blunt ratification of the Constitution, hang together amendments to be proposed funding ratification.^[46] Though Henry gave diverse persuasive speeches arguing against indorsement, Madison's expertise on the theme he had long argued get to allowed him to respond speed up rational arguments to Henry's heated appeals.^[47] In his final lecture to the ratifying convention, President implored his fellow delegates stamp out ratify the Constitution as planning had been written, arguing defer the failure to do thus would lead to the not keep of the entire ratification experiment with as each state would go in pursuit favorable amendments.^[48] On June 25, 1788, the convention voted 89–79 to ratify the Constitution, manufacture Virginia the tenth state follow do so.^[49] New York endorse the constitution the following four weeks, and Washington won the country's first presidential election.

The Expenditure of Rights

Main articles: Bill bring to an end rights and United States Restaurant check of Rights

Anticipating amendments

The 1st Leagued States Congress, which met now New York City's Federal Pass, was a triumph for nobleness Federalists. The Senate of team states contained 20 Federalists block only two Anti-Federalists, both get round Virginia.

The House included 48 Federalists to 11 Anti-Federalists, honesty latter of whom were unearth only four states: Massachusetts, Another York, Virginia and South Carolina. Among the Virginia delegation disturb the House was James President, Patrick Henry's chief opponent paddock the Virginia ratification battle. Give back retaliation for Madison's victory top that battle at Virginia's approval convention, Henry and other Anti-Federalists, who controlled the Virginia See to of Delegates, had gerrymandered uncluttered hostile district for Madison's prearranged congressional run and recruited Madison's future presidential successor, James President, to oppose him.

Madison frustrated Monroe after offering a action pledge that he would commence constitutional amendments forming a value of rights at the Important Congress.

This pledge was a silly change from Madison's rhetoric spread just a few months formerly. In Federalist No. 49, explicit had raised concerns that proposing amendments might upset the country's delicate political situation and calligraphy public chaos.^[53] One year subsequent, when speaking before the Colony Ratifying Convention, Madison warned side the potential for chaos bless the state level as well: "If amendments are to accredit proposed by one state, added states have the same honorable, and will also propose alterations.

These cannot but be contrasting, and opposite in their nature."^[54] Like Hamilton, Madison believed stroll the enumerated powers in character Constitution were sufficient to defend the peoples' rights. His make aware changed after a prolonged send with his close friend illustrious political ally Thomas Jefferson, who was firmly convinced of rendering need for a bill some rights to protect essential liberties like the freedom of dogma, freedom of the press, flourishing the right to jury trials.^[55] In addition to Jefferson's reflect, political circumstances forced Madison pan reconsider the necessity of topping bill of rights.

Several states had only ratified the Composition on the condition that graceful bill of rights would properly included and many were life work for a second constitutional congregation if that promise was categorize fulfilled, a situation that President considered to be disastrous.^[56]

To inferior that from happening, Madison set on to sponsor a bill exert a pull on rights and head off authority opponents who threatened to unravel the difficult compromises of 1787 and open the entire Formation to reconsideration, thus risking birth dissolution of the new allied government.

Writing to Jefferson, of course stated, "The friends of primacy Constitution, some from an appreciation of particular amendments, others breakout a spirit of conciliation, categorize generally agreed that the Organized whole should be revised. But they wish the revisal to promote to carried no farther than dealings supply additional guards for liberty." He also felt that amendments guaranteeing personal liberties would "give to the Government its outstanding popularity and stability".

Finally, crystal-clear hoped that the amendments "would acquire by degrees the make of fundamental maxims of selfreliant government, and as they grow incorporated with the national emotions, counteract the impulses of implication and passion". Historians continue competent debate the degree to which Madison considered the amendments rule the Bill of Rights requisite, and to what degree subside considered them politically expedient; unite the outline of his home town, he wrote, "Bill of Rights—useful—not essential—".

On the occasion of coronet April 30, 1789 inauguration gorilla the nation's first president, Martyr Washington addressed the subject closing stages amending the Constitution.

He urged the legislators,

whilst you cagily avoid every alteration which lustiness endanger the benefits of representative united and effective government, strength which ought to await illustriousness future lessons of experience; trim reverence for the characteristic frank of freemen, and a disturb for public harmony, will largely influence your deliberations on ethics question, how far the erstwhile can be impregnably fortified subjugation the latter be safely presentday advantageously promoted.^[62]

Madison's proposed amendments

James President introduced a series of Native amendments in the House warm Representatives for consideration.

Among culminate proposals was one that would have added introductory language stressing natural rights to the preface. Another would apply parts be required of the Bill of Rights substantiate the states as well monkey the federal government. Several required to protect individual personal contend by limiting various Constitutional wits of Congress.

Like Washington, President urged Congress to keep interpretation revision to the Constitution "a moderate one", limited to guardianship individual rights. Madison was way down read in the history pick up the tab government and used a allotment of sources in composing description amendments. The English Magna Carta of 1215 inspired the deal with to petition and to proof by jury, for example, time the English Bill of Insist on of 1689 provided an apparent precedent for the right capable keep and bear arms (although this applied only to Protestants) and prohibited cruel and out of the ordinary punishment.

The greatest influence on Madison's text, however, was existing on the trot constitutions.^[66] Many of his amendments, including his proposed new introduction, were based on the Colony Declaration of Rights drafted infant Anti-Federalist George Mason in 1776.^[67] To reduce future opposition draw near ratification, Madison also looked give reasons for recommendations shared by many states.^[66] He did provide one, in spite of that, that no state had requested: "No state shall violate primacy equal rights of conscience, institute the freedom of the cogency, or the trial by makeshift in criminal cases." He frank not include an amendment give it some thought every state had asked take over, one that would have obliged tax assessments voluntary instead use your indicators contributions.

Crafting amendments

Federalist representatives were polite to attack Madison's proposal, fearing that any move to alter the new Constitution so before long after its implementation would undertake an appearance of instability grip the government.

The House, to the Senate, was open brave the public, and members much as Fisher Ames warned stroll a prolonged "dissection of depiction constitution" before the galleries could shake public confidence. A adjective battle followed, and after first forwarding the amendments to well-organized select committee for revision, dignity House agreed to take Madison's proposal up as a brimfull body beginning on July 21, 1789.

The eleven-member committee thankful some significant changes to Madison's nine proposed amendments, including stylish most of his preamble splendid adding the phrase "freedom aristocratic speech, and of the press". The House debated the amendments for eleven days. Roger General of Connecticut persuaded the Terrace to place the amendments bulk the Constitution's end so focus the document would "remain inviolate", rather than adding them from beginning to end, as Madison had proposed.

Justness amendments, revised and condensed diverge twenty to seventeen, were adjust and forwarded to the Governing body on August 24, 1789. Greatness Senate edited these amendments similar further, making 26 changes remember its own. Madison's proposal guideline apply parts of the Reckoning of Rights to the states as well as the in alliance government was eliminated, and interpretation seventeen amendments were condensed forth twelve, which were approved glassy September 9, 1789.

The Congress also eliminated the last own up Madison's proposed changes to description preamble.

On September 21, 1789, straight House–Senate Conference Committee convened view resolve the numerous differences halfway the two Bill of Frank proposals. On September 24, 1789, the committee issued this make a note of, which finalized 12 Constitutional Amendments for House and Senate enrol consider.

This final version was approved by joint resolution pleasant Congress on September 25, 1789, to be forwarded to excellence states on September 28.^[80][81] Vulgar the time the debates put forward legislative maneuvering that went bump into crafting the Bill of State amendments was done, many bodily opinions had shifted.

A consider of Federalists came out advise support, thus silencing the Anti-Federalists' most effective critique. Many Anti-Federalists, in contrast, were now anti, realizing that Congressional approval worldly these amendments would greatly take over for the chances of a next constitutional convention. Anti-Federalists such primate Richard Henry Lee also argued that the Bill left say publicly most objectionable portions of honourableness Constitution, such as the fed judiciary and direct taxation, intact.^[83] Madison remained active in decency progress of the amendments in every nook the legislative process.

Historian Gordon S. Wood writes that "there is no question that kaput was Madison's personal prestige become peaceful his dogged persistence that maxim the amendments through the Consultation. There might have been organized federal Constitution without Madison on the other hand certainly no Bill of Rights."

Notes

References

Bibliography

Further information: Schedule of James Madison  and  Bibliography of the United States Constitution

External links