JAMES MADISON (DR) - 1809-1817
James Madison is one of the Founding Fathers and is also known as the Father of the Constitution. He was crucial in the creation of this country, but when it came time for him to become the 4th President, he made his share of mistakes.
The War of 1812 marked his presidency. While Washington, Adams, and Jefferson had kept relations with Great Britain friendly enough, the British grew belligerent with Madison. The Royal Navy kept intercepting US ships and forcing their sailors to serve. Madison's protests were ignored, so he escalated the conflict by declaring war and invading Canada for leverage.
Financially and militarily, the country wasn't ready for war, and the British hit back hard. They successfully invaded Washington DC, and Madison had to flee the White House, which British soldiers set on fire. Britain also armed the Native Americans to strike from the west and south. Generals and future presidents Andrew Jackson and William H. Harrison were able to quell those, and by 1815, both countries were exhausted and ended the war in a tie.
Maybe the war could have been avoided but at least he didn't lose it. That "tie" was essentially seen as victory for the US, and national pride and unity followed. The Federalist Party disappeared, and the U.S. entered the Era of Good Feelings.
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