James Madison, Father of the Constitution
By: Manushi Rawal
Grade: 11th
Address: 1518 Foothill Way, Redlands CA 92374
Telephone: (909) 844-7808
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Redlands High School
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James Madison, Father of the Constitution
In the words of James Madison, “The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their
Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world.” When the
Articles of Confederation proved to be a weak government, Madison and fifty-six other delegates
met at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on May 1787 to try and amend them.
However, the delegates ended up creating an entire new form of government, the
Constitution. Madison, representing Virginia, was the youngest delegate in the room, but he
played a major in the creation of the Constitution. James Madison became the Father of the
Constitution through the Virginia Plan, the Federalist Papers, and becoming the Chief Recorder
of Information at the Constitutional Convention.
The Virginia Plan became the basis of the Constitution. Due to the long amount of time
it took to travel through the country, Madison had an abundance of time to create a blueprint for
a new form of government. Madison argued strongly for a strong central government that would
unify the country. The Virginia Plan proposed a national government consisting of three
branches with checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. This was as a result from King
George III’s controlling nature over the colonies. Within the document it describes two houses:
one with members elected by the people for three year terms and the other composed of older
leaders elected by the state legislatures for seven year terms. Both would use population as a
basis for dividing seats among the states. During the Convention, Edmund Randolph presented
the document to the other fifty-six delegates. Colleen Sheehan states that, “the Virginia Plan
became the basis for subsequent discussions and debate at the Convention and laid the
groundwork for the Constitution of 1787” (Sheehan). This is true because there are many
similarities within the Virginia Plan and the Constitution. Without the Virginia Plan, the
Constitution would look completely different or not even been created
In addition to the Virginia Plan, the Federalist Papers were extremely significant to the
making of the Constitution. Alongside Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, they wrote essays
supporting the ratification of the Constitution. In order for the Constitution to become the law
two-thirds of the thirteen states had to ratify it individually, so the Federalist Papers served as a
propaganda method for the Constitution. There were eighty-five essays in all, Madison wrote
twenty-nine, and appeared in various New York newspapers and then circulated around the
states. In one of the essays, Madison wrote, “The accumulation of all powers [of
government]…in the same hands… [is] the very definition of tyranny,”. As a result, Madison
endorsed a system which included separation of powers, checks and balances, bicameralism, and
federalism. He wanted the government to be able to run by it, and one branch of government
could not be able to gain too much power. These same principles were emulated in the Bill of
Rights and the Constitution. Madison also states that, “Ambition must be made to counteract
ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place.”
when explaining check and balances. As a result of the Federalist Papers, the Constitution was
ratified by nine states, which makes it law.
One of the most important reason why Madison was significant to the Constitution was
at the Constitutional Convention he was the Chief Recorder of Information. This title means that
during the Convention, he wrote down all the ideas that were mentioned, and then later
organized them into the Constitution. With this is mind, Madison wrote nineteen amendments,
twelve of which were embedded into the Bill of Rights and passed on to get ratified by the states.
On December 15, 1791, 10 had been ratified by enough states to become part of the Constitution.
Sheehan expresses the influence Madison had on these amendments through the statement,
“Madison hoped it would in time become much more than a parchment barrier against
oppressive acts. Over time, a bill of rights becomes sanctified and incorporated in public opinion,
and its principles exert an influence on the actual views and sentiments of the people.”
(Sheehan). It was Madison’s intent to have the people’s voice be heard with these amendments.
The opinions that were stated by the Madison represented the popular opinion of the citizens of
the United States of America. Through his influence in the Convention, he sculpted the
Constitution.
As James Madison once said, “What government itself is but the greatest of all
reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels
were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”
This ideal was clearly in the Constitution because he wanted the government to be run by the
people. Through the Virginia Plan, The Federalist Papers, and becoming the Chief Recorder of
Information at the Constitutional Convention, James Madison became the Father Constitution.
Works cited (MLA)
Blum, John H., Williams S. McFeely, and Edmund S. Morgan. The National Experience. New
York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College, n.d. Print.
Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison, John Jay, and J. R. Pole. The Federalist. Indianapolis:
Hackett Pub., 2005. Print.
"James Madison's Contribution to the Constitution." James Madison's Contribution to the
Constitution. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
KENNEDY, David M. The American Pageant. Stamford: Cengage Learning, n.d. Print.
Sheehan, Colleen. "James Madison: Father of the Constitution." The Heritage Foundation. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2016
Biography
My name is Manushi Rawal and I am sixteen years old. I was born in New Orleans,
Louisiana. I live with my mom, Ayusha Rawal, and dad, Mahesh Rawal. I am a junior in
Redlands High School. In my school, I partake in Varsity tennis, Speech and Debate, Compact
Club, and Desi Club. I spend my weekends volunteering at the Redlands Community Hospital.
My hobbies include dancing, drawing and reading. My favorite novel is The Girl on the Train
by Paula Hawkins. I have passion for helping others with whatever problems they have. My
favorite class is math because it is challenging yet rewarding at the same time. I am curious
about how the brain works and psychology. When I grow up, I want to become a Pediatrician
because I love working with children. I strive to be the best person I can be.