Actually, we Japanese are not familiar with American history.
After the war, American culture flowed in, and I am still familiar with American culture through Hollywood movies, but I don't think there are many opportunities to learn about American history.
It is common sense that the first president of the United States is George Washington, and it is rare to say that it will be the second and third generation, and when it comes to the fourth generation, it will be the level of what percentage of the population knows the name. come.
So, this time, I would like to see what kind of person and what was done by James Madison, the fourth president of the United States.
First American President to be a member of the US House of Representatives
The Prime Minister of Japan is elected from among the members of parliament, but the President of the United States is not elected from among the members of parliament, so he can be president even if he has no experience as a member of parliament or as a politician.
Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were members of the Continental Congress and the local state legislature, but James Madison, the fourth generation, was the first to become president after becoming a member of the United States Congress.
James was born into a family of landowners in Virginia. His father, Colonel James Madison Sr., is the owner of a vast farm, covering 5,000 acres, about 4 square meters.
James was born as his eldest son, and his siblings have risen to twelve, and his clan has grown to about thirty.
Like a child of the landlord class, he was educated from an early age and entered the current Princeton University at the age of 18 (1769), studying various languages, science, mathematics, rhetoric, and philosophy. He also seems to have studied law, becoming a lawyer after graduating from college and serving as a member of the Virginia Parliament from 1776.
From around this time, he became close to Thomas Jefferson and became a disciple. He represented the Continental Congress around 1780 and became a member of Congress again in Virginia from 1784.
At the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention in 1787, his drafting became the basis of the United States Constitution, after which he completed the paper "The Federalist" with Alexander Hamilton and others.
James Madison is also known as the "father of the United States Constitution" because of his success in this area.
Eventually, when Thomas Jefferson became the third president of the United States, James became Secretary of State, making a name for himself in the "Marbury v. Madison Case," and was credited with the Louisiana Purchase.
The "Marbury v. Madison Case" is famous as the first case in which the Supreme Court granted the right to examine unconstitutional legislation, and the system has been adopted in modern Japan.
In 1808, James Madison became the fourth president of the United States, succeeding Thomas Jefferson.
During his term, the War of 1812 broke out with Britain, in which an American general fled in front of the enemy, and James Madison also abandoned the White House in Washington and fled to the British army. The situation was set on fire, and the United States was in turmoil.
It was Napoleon I of France who indirectly helped the United States, and Britain also split its troops there, so no decisive damage was done.
The British side also spent national funds on the front against France, and the two countries reconciled because they could not find significance in the war with the United States. It is reasonable to see this battle as a draw between the two countries.
By the way, the Second Barbary War was also taking place with the Islamic forces of Libya in North Africa during James' tenure, and he succeeded in obtaining a safe voyage right in the Mediterranean Sea.
After his presidency, he returned to his hometown to run a farm, and when Thomas Jefferson died in 1826, he succeeded him as president of the University of Virginia.
In 1836, James Madison died quietly.
Personal evaluation of James Madison
James Madison was a flashy and unproven president.
But he was a beloved president.
It is clear from the fact that his name can be found everywhere in the United States.
The names of Madison are everywhere, from the famous movies "The Bridges of Madison County", the famous "Madison Square Garden", as well as the names of places such as "James Madison College", "Madison Mountains" and "Madison River" to the names of nuclear submarines. Can be seen.
Although not flashy, he is known as the "father of legislation" and has made great achievements in laying the foundation for the "Constitution of the United States", which has made a name for himself in history.
On the other hand, it can be said that there is no military achievement such as fleeing in front of the enemy during the War of 1812, and even a person like James Madison was very worried about the slavery problem.
When talking about the history of the United States, the issue of slavery is an indispensable issue, and it can be said that the president's evaluation is determined by his efforts.
Immediately after independence, it could be said that the United States could not cover its agricultural production without large-scale plantations, and the conflict between the successful industrialization of the northern part and the agricultural-centered southern part developed into the question of whether it was for or against slavery, and eventually the United States. Is divided into two.
The problem will go on quietly, but rapidly, even during James Madison's tenure.
In general, it can be said that the American Industrial Revolution took place in this era, and American society is rapidly industrializing, just as Fulton ran a steamship on the Hudson River in 1807.
From some perspectives, it can be said that the United States developed greatly during James' tenure, and it can be said that he was a person who served as president during the basic period when the United States became a major power, including legislation.
The president, who is not flashy but has fulfilled his duties steadily. It can be said that it is President James Madison. He is not only capable of attacking, but such a defensive politician will be important for national development.