British seizure of American seamen pushed James Madison to ask Congress for a declaration of war in June 1812. The United States entered the conflict without a strong military. Consequently, early ...

James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution ... In 1814 the British went so far as to burn the White House and Capitol Building as a fleeing Madison watched from across the Potomac.

James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution ... In 1814 the British went so far as to burn the White House and Capitol Building as a fleeing Madison watched from across the Potomac.

Like James Madison, Monroe was secretary of state before becoming president. A spirit of vigorous nationalism known as the Era of Good Feelings ushered Monroe into the White House, virtually unopposed ...