James Madison and the making of America

James Madison and the making of America

1st ed.

New York : St. Martin's Press, 2012.

416 p., [8] p. of plates : ill., ports. ; 25 cm.

923.173 M182gut 2012

(OCoLC)740627001

Madison's fame rests on his participation in the writing of The Federalist Papers and his role in drafting the Bill of Rights and Constitution. Yet, he thought that the Bill of Rights was unnecessary and insisted that it not be included in the unamended Constitution which, he lamented, was entirely inadequate and, likely, would soon fail. Madison helped to create the first American political party, the first party to call itself "Republican", but only after he had argued that political parties, in general, were harmful. Madison served as Secretary of State and, then, as President during the early years of the United States and the War of 1812; however, the American foreign policy he implemented in 1801-1817 ultimately resulted in the British burning down the Capitol and the White House. Virtually all of his great accomplishments, such as his contributions to The Federalist Papers, are now misunderstood. His greatest legacy, the disestablishment of Virginia's state church and adoption of the libertarian Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, is often omitted from discussion of his career.
Includes bibliographical references (p. [365]-401) and index.
Contents: From subject to citizen, 1751-76 -- Winning the Revolution, 1776-87 -- The Philadelphia Convention, 1787 -- Ratifying the Constitution, part one: The Federalist, 1787-88 -- Ratifying the Constitution, part two: The Richmond Convention, 1788 -- Inaugurating the Constitution, 1788-1800 -- Secretary of State, then President, 1800-17 -- An active retirement, 1817-36.
L2013M15

Library Catalog > Monographs > Modern books
All Cataloged Material
All records