James Madison Unit Study

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Reading Passage:

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States. Born on March 16th, 1751 near Port Conway, Virginia. He was one of 12 children. His father was a tobacco farmer and the family lived on plantation named Montpelier. He was tutored at home before going to the College of New Jersey, which is now called Princeton University, in 1769. He served as a colonel in the militia, but due to his poor health, he never would serve in battle. He would go on to serve as a Delegate to the Congress of the Confederation and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Madison would draft the Virginia Plan, during the Philadelphia Convention in 1787. The Virginia Plan would later serve as the outline for the U.S. Constitution. For his contributions, Madison is often referred to as “Father of the Constitution.” He would also help found the Democratic-Republican Party in 1792. In 1794, Madison would marry Dolley Payne and adopt her son, John Payne. During the Jefferson Presidency, 1801-1809, Madison would serve as Secretary of State. While serving in this role, Madison would help Jefferson to make the Louisiana Purchase. In 1809, Madison would start his Presidency, he would go on to serve for eight years. In June of 1812, he would ask Congress to go to war. This war would be known as the War of 1812. The war would end in 1814, with the signing on the Treaty of Ghent. Madison had helped establish the United States as a world power. He would retire to Montpelier. He would go on to help Thomas Jefferson establish the University of Virginia. James Madison died on at Montpelier on June 28th, 1836.