Carlie's Essay Final

Carlie Valdes

5/2/11

3/4

James Madison

““The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.”” –James Madison (www.thinkexist.com) James Madison knew that with power comes responsibility and distrust. The man known as the “Father of the Constitution” was born on March 16, 1751, in Virginia and died June 28, 1836. In 1791, he wrote the Bill of Rights, then was elected president in 1808. James Madison was a very educated man who inspired many politicians and made a large impact on American History. He was a very influential man, and many things led up to his success in life.

James Madison was a very educated man; this quality led him to much success in life. He attended two different colleges (Princeton University and the College of New Jersey), and finished his degree in two years, preparing him to be mentored by Thomas Jefferson. “Working alongside Jefferson, Madison became a prominent political figure at the state level.” (www.american-presidents.com.) James’s mentor was a great influence, and later inspired him to propose the idea of a new Constitution and write the Bill of Rights. Later in life, Madison became known as, “one of the Founding Fathers of his country” (www.biography.com). However, James Madison is certainly known for having more than one great accomplishment.  

James Madison has done more than one important act that has affected America. Madison is known as the “father of the constitution” for proposing the idea for a new one at the Constitutional Convention. James was also the forth president of the United States and,”While in Congress, Madison was a key figure in the creation of the Bill of Rights.” (www.american-presidents.com) The Bill of Rights is one of the most important documents in American history, laying out the rights of the people. Madison worked with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in the publication of the Federalist papers. He also, “defeated Patrick Henry's bill to give financial support to ‘teachers of the Christian religion’.” (www.biography.com) Though James Madison has done many great deeds, his determination and focus helped him win over the majority of America and write a very significant document.

James Madison has had both a positive, and a negative impact on America. He proposed the idea for a new Constitution, and wrote the Bill of Rights. These things both had a very positive effect on our country. Though, he was one of the main characters behind the Embargo Act of 1807. This, “ultimately caused the United States’ economy to sink into a severe depression.” (www.american-presidents.com) Another negative deed is, during Madison’s presidency, he asked Congress to declare war on Britain. The outcome being that, “the young American army was severely defeated and the British invaded Washington, setting fire to the White House and the Capitol." (www.american-presidents.com) From all of these events, it is obvious that James Madison has had both a positive and negative effect on our evolving country.

Throughout his life, James Madison was a very educated man who inspired many politicians and made a large impact on American History. He started out a young man being mentored by Thomas Jefferson, and ended up writing one of the most important documents of American History. He then later became the fourth president of the United States of America. Madison had a wonderful and a bad impact on our country, but overall he is one of the most influential figures throughout America’s past.