Madison was a close friend of Thomas Jefferson, whom he followed in the presidency. Together, these two Virginians made an unexcelled team in constructive statesmanship. Madison displayed skill at solving difficult problems of government. Jefferson contributed a fine ability to phrase political truths. Their close agreement on political matters led them to join in organizing the Democratic-Republican party.
Physically small and frail, Madison did as much as any American toward building a strong federal government. At the Constitutional Convention, he worked to strengthen the national union of states. He spoke out fearlessly for nationalism when most Americans put states' rights ahead of the national interest. But Madison was by nature a mediator. He resisted Alexander Hamilton's tendency to strengthen the federal government at the expense of the states. He also softened Jefferson's views favoring states' rights. Most Americans today accept Madison's view on the relationship between the states and the federal government, rather than the extreme views of either Hamilton or Jefferson.
Streams of settlers surged westward during Madison's administration. The lack of imported goods during the War of 1812 encouraged industries to expand, and set the country on the path to becoming an industrial nation. The war also gave the American people their national anthem. Early one morning, as British shells burst about Fort McHenry in Baltimore harbor, Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner."
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