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Early Life
James Madison was born on March 16th, 1751 at Port Conway in Virginia. He was the oldest of twelve children. -
Virginia Plan
James Madison drafted the Virginia Plan. It included the legislative branch (bicameral legislative) and a three-part government consisting of executive, legislative and judicial branches. It helped the way the U.S. government work. -
Philadelphia Convention
In 1787, the Philadelphia Convention was held because of the Articles of Confederation. Madison presented the Virginia Plan, and instead of revising the ineffective articles, he said that it is time to form a new constitution. -
The Federalist Papers
Federalist Paper is a collection of 85 essays which is written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay. Madison wrote 29 of these essays. -
Bill of Rights
To protect the rights and freedom of the individual person, Madison authored the Bill of Rights. He is considered the Father of the Bill of Rights. -
Co-founded the Democratic-Rupublican Party
In the early 1790s, the first American political party, the Federal Party, had begun. It advocated a centralized policy and a strong national government. Madison and Jefferson founded the Democratic-Republican Party from 1791 to 1793. From 1801 to 1825, their new party dominated the presidency, Congress, and most states. -
U.S. Secretary
When Thomas Jefferson became the 3rd president of the U.S in 1801, he chose James Madison as a Secretary of State. Until March 3, 1809, he was served as the 5th Secretary of State. -
President
Madison was elected as the president in 1808, and he was inaugurated as the 4th president of the United States in 1809. In 1812, he was reelected. -
War of 1812
Madison signed the declaration of war and started the war with the United Kingdom. During the war, there were many conflicts, but the U.S. military was able to defeat the invasion of British. -
Death
In 1836, Madison died in Montpelier, at home.