NHD: Rough Draft/Good Copy for James Madison

(For me: Color-coded to help make sure I include all that Ms. Thompson asked for in an essay)

Web Site: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/Ftrials/conlaw/billofrightsintro.html

“Philosophy is common sense with big words.” These words were spoken by no other then James Madison. Madison is what we call, "The Father of the U.S. Constitution". He believed that the citizens needed to be protected from the state governments and the national government. So he created what is called the Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments were to ensure that people would be constitutional protected for countless essential human rights. Without James Madison and this plan for the citizens and people with power in the government than life wouldn't be as it would be today. He was also the co-founder of the Democratic-Republican Party, was a great secretary of state under Jefferson and yet he wasn't rated as a spectacular President.

James Madison's name was given to him by his father, James Madison Sr. Madison was born on March 16, 1751 and raised on a plantation in sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. When he was just a little one, he never strayed away, but stayed close to his mother's side. Madison enjoyed reading books and the study of classical languages. The historical problem that James Madison dealt with was that, the Constitution contained very few individual rights guarantees. The specific rights guarantees were; protection against states impairing the obligation of contracts, provisions that prohibit both the federal and state governments from enforcing ex post facto laws and provisions barring bills of attainder.The framers mainly focused on establishing the machinery for an effective federal government. Madison contributed to the creation of the Bill Of Rights by, meeting with the Congress in1789. He took the lead in drafting the proposed Bill of Rights. By 1791, the states had ratified the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. He acted to this situation because the Constitution did not fully guarantee individuals with important rights that they should obtain. His thought was that they should, so he took control to make sure of it. James Madison believed that there was weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation. This weaknesses rendered the recent Republic subject to foreign attack and domestic turmoil. Madison persuaded the states' rights activist John Taylor to call for an assembly in Annapolis, Maryland, to address problems of business among the states. When the meeting was unsuccessfully attended, Madison kept pressing forward. He led the Virginia delegation to the Philadelphia meeting and supported the cry for General George Washington to chair the meeting. Washington made an agreement with Madison to lead the meeting. Which this all dates back to have began on May 14, 1787. This acceptance helped draft a new constitution for the nation. 'Madison's "Virgina Plan" became the blueprint for the Constitution that finally emerged', finally he had earned himself the title, "Father of the Constitution". To help James Madison ensure the ratification of this document, he had others helping him. Along with himself, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, published a series of newspaper essays that became known collectively as the Federalist Papers. Federalist Papers are 'series of articles arguing for a strong central government subject to an extensive system of checks and balances'. Even with his shorter-than-average body compared to Washington and Jefferson, in a small group of men, Madison could shape constitutions and influence legislation with few people in present. 'No one ever came to a meeting more prepared than Madison'. The Constitution didn't really have enough rights that were guaranteed to the citizens, but it was more forced on the state's rights. Long term change would be, that the Bill Of Rights is still used till this day. All the amendment s may not be used on a daily bases, but it's good to have them. Most common ones are the first and fifth amendment. First amendment gives people the freedom of religion, speech, petition and the fifth amendment states taking some one's life, liberty, or property is violating the the Constitution. There are more to this amendments but this is an overall look on them.

All in all, who do we, the Americans, the citizens, and more importantly the individual people that are continuously talked about, have to thank. James Madison is a very important person towards history, think about it. Amendment four states, the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. With out this amendment, the government would take over the home of families and search the home for no reason. A police officer on the street could take you bag and easily have right to search your belongings with no reasonable cause as to why. James Madison is famous but is not well-know to much, he should be though. Madison created the first ten amendments to secure the rights of the people.' Madison was the most successful and possibly the most influential of all the Founding Fathers.'Madison's legacy is seen in different ways, but mostly in a court. James Madison contributed to the change to this country a whole lot. The citizens and people with power in the government are equally tied with the guarantee powers by the Constitution now. James Madison made a huge change in American History.