The second branch was a national judiciary of “one or more supreme tribunals,” and various “inferior tribunals” appointed with life tenure by the legislature. The heart of the proposed national government was a bicameral legislature, with the lower house apportioned according to some combination of wealth and population and elected by the people, and an upper chamber elected by the lower house from a list of candidates nominated by the states. Drawing on Charles Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu’s theory of the separation of powers, the Virginia Plan proposed to the Constitutional Convention a three-branch national government elevated over the states but grounded in the sovereignty of the people. Madison was the main author of the Virginia Plan, a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation. Madison also grew increasingly displeased with state legislatures and perceived that they too often pandered to the whims of their constituents at an unsustainable rate. ![]() Over time, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the governing national document at the time, were exposed, and Madison believed the document lacked structure to adequately serve the new democracy. Although the youngest delegate, he played a major role in the deliberations of that body. In 1780, Madison was chosen to represent Virginia in the Continental Congress (1780-88). Madison’s principle of “free exercise” of religion was enacted into law ten years later in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Jefferson, but pushed by Madison through the General Assembly. That same year, at the age of twenty-five, Madison fought to amend the Virginia Declaration of Rights to ground religious liberty in natural rights, not permission of the state. While serving in the state legislature, Madison began forging a relationship with Thomas Jefferson, a young innovative mind in Virginia at the time. In 1776, he was elected to the Virginia Legislature. Graduating in 1771, and longing for further education, Madison became the College of New Jersey’s first graduate student.Īfter completing graduate studies, Madison returned home and became involved in local politics, serving as a member of the Orange County Committee of Public Safety in 1774. In 1769, Madison enrolled in the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton University. His studies led him on a journey of fascination with ancient philosophy that would inform his ideas about democracy. ![]() From the ages of 11 to 16, he was taught subjects ranging from mathematics, to geography, to Latin. A respected leader, Madison was known for his brilliant persistence in politics, careful preparation and hard work.ĭuring his childhood, Madison had a host of privileges many lacked during this time. A diligent and dedicated public servant, among Madison’s key achievements were: supporting the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom helping to produce the Constitution of the United States of America and authoring the Bill of Rights collaborating with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay on the Federalist Papers leading the Democratic-Republican Party serving as Secretary of State becoming the fourth president of the United States and serving as commander-in-chief in the War of 1812 (and the only president to lead troops in battle while in office). James Madison was born at Belle Grove plantation in Port Conway, Virginia on March 16, 1751.
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