Revised thesis and introduction

In 1787, the Constitutional Convention took place at Independence Hall, the same place the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. James Madison was one of the 55 delegates to attend. Later on James Madison was given the title " father of the Constitution" for his hard dedicated work for ratifying the Constitution in Virginia, producing the Virginia plan and his contributions for introducing the first amendments, which are now known as the Bill of Rights. However, today historians argue could Madison's contributions be great enough to make him Father of the Constitution, had he really lived up to the remarkable things said about him?

Fourth Annotation

"James Madison Proposes Bill of Rights". James Madison University . 10-28-08 http://www.jmu.edu/madison/gpos225-madison2/madprobll.htm.

This article is a brief summary of Madison's dedication to the creation of the Bill of Rights. It examines how Madison didn't think the Constitution needed a Bill of Rights, but if there was going to be one, it was his duty to propose one.

Even though this might make my thesis a little difficult to write, it helps me get a better understanding of Madison's beliefs. My understanding of this article is that Madison truly thought the Bill of Rights was not necessary. The only exception he thought came out of the Bill of Rights was that it call for another Constitutional Convention and convinced the final two states to ratify the Constitution.

Thesis Statment

In 1787, the Constitutional Convention took place at Independence Hall, the same place the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. James Madison was one of the 55 delegates to attend. James Madison is given the title " father of the constitution" for his hard dedicated work for ratifying the Constitution in Virginia, producing the Virginia plan and writing the Bill of Rights.

Third Annotation

Rakove, Jack N.. James Madison and the Creation of the American Republic. New York: Libary of Congress Catologing in Publication Data, 2007.

The author Jack N. Rakove has a chapter in this book called "The Great Convention", which interprets the decisive issue of representation in each state.

James Madison triggered the dispute over representation, when stating his opinion "that a change in the principle of representation was the first step the Convention had to take before it would determine exactly what the national government would do" This occupied the delegates for seven weeks until The Great Compromise of July 16 protected the small states right to have an equal vote in Senate.

Second Annotation

Wills, Garry. James Madison. New york: Henry Holt and Company, 2002.

In this book by Garry Wills there is a few chapters on the role played by James Madison
ratifying the Constitution in Virginia. The Chapters portray Patrick Henry who had George Manson with him as opposing the Ratification.

Patrick Henry used fear to oppose sending a representative off to the capital. He was against trusting an individual to defend the state's interest. Meanwhile Madison thought everyone should rely on the code of a gentlemen.

First Annotation

Kauffmann, Bruce G.. "James Madison " Godfather of the Constitution"". Archiving Early American. 10-16-08 http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/summer97/madison.html

The author of this website gives opinions and facts of James Madison's contributions debated by past historians. The website shows that Madison could be known as a father of the Constitution, or argue as more of a godfather of the Constitution, which declares George Washington the father.


This web page breaks down James Madison's main priorities, such as the Articles need replacing, not amending and that there needed to be a strong central government that could keep the state governments in line. This plan later came into place when Madison produced the Virginia Plan.

Topic Selection

I choose James Madison from Virginia for my NHD project because i am interested in his contributions for the creation of our nation's most historic document: The Constitution.

This Person is important to history because without his effort and inputs our country might have not document that gives every person in the country, rights, freedom and equality. Our country might even be split in two.

For this week's research, i found an book that i will read and summarize for next week.