Skip to main content

What was an obstacle James Madison faced?

James Madison faced the events that eventually led the United States to war during his presidency.  According to his beliefs, he preferred to take a diplomatic approach, especially in regards to the Orders in Council.  The Orders in Council were decrees from the government of England.  The Orders in Council greatly impacted trade because they set blockades in place.  Public opinion began to shift and some thought that Madison should declare war on England.  He...

James Madison faced the events that eventually led the United States to war during his presidency.  According to his beliefs, he preferred to take a diplomatic approach, especially in regards to the Orders in Council.  The Orders in Council were decrees from the government of England.  The Orders in Council greatly impacted trade because they set blockades in place.  Public opinion began to shift and some thought that Madison should declare war on England.  He still preferred a diplomatic route to address the blockade issue.  Despite this emphasis on diplomacy, Madison requested that Congress expand the United States military.  This was not in alignment with Madison's beliefs, which were to deemphasize the military.


England was at war with France.  The British wished for the United States to avoid trade with France.  The British sometimes used the power of their Navy to stop the Americans from trading with France.  This occurred in spite of American neutrality and caused tensions to grow.  The British Navy also gave weapons to Native Americans with the goal of them attacking American settlers.  The United States government and citizens were divided about whether or not they should go to war against Britain.  James Madison had to abandon his preference for diplomacy and for a deemphasis on military action.  The United States entered the War of 1812 under his leadership.  This was an obstacle he had to face.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more