Presidential Chronicles

James Monroe #4: Foreign Deals (1799-1807); Topics covered include: Governor of Virginia, Envoy to France, Louisiana Purchase (including constitutional concerns), attempt to acquire Florida, Minister to Great Britain, impressment, Monroe-Pinkney Treaty, birth of daughter (Maria), death of uncle (Joseph Jones), James Madison elected President Key people: Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon, Robert Livingsto...

James Monroe #3: Standing Up for Honor (1792-1797); Topics covered include: Resigns U.S. Senate, Minister to France, rebuked over comments, Jay Treaty, recalled, breaks with George Washington, "A View of the Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Affairs of the United States," and nearly has a duel with Alexander Hamilton Key people: George Washington, John Jay, Edmund Randolph, Timothy Pickering, Al...

James Monroe #2: Political Beginnings (1780-1794); Topics covered include: Mentored in law by Thomas Jefferson, elected Virginia Assembly, focus on Northwest Territory and access via the Mississippi River, marries Elizabeth Kortright, sets up law office in Fredericksburg, VA, Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Virginia Ratifying Convention (votes "no"), runs for Congress (loses)...

James Monroe #1: Teenage War Hero (1758-1779); Topics covered include: Youth, parents die, College of William & Mary, Stamp Act, Revolutionary War, enlists, Battle of Trenton, wounded, Battle of Princeton, aide-to-camp to William Stirling, Valley Forge, Battle of Monmouth, and leaves the service Key people: Joseph Jones, Patrick Henry, George Washington, William Washington, Dr. John Riker, Wil...

James Madison #10: Retirement and Legacy (1817-1836); Topics covered include: Post-presidency, Montpelier, collaboration with Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia, death of Jefferson, Virginia Constitutional Convention, slavery, American Colonization Society, financial debts, notes from the Constitutional Convention, nullification, and the review of inconsistencies throughout his career...

James Madison #9: Dolley and the Presidency (1794-1817); Topics covered include: Relationship with Dolley (Payne) Madison, Barbary Pirates, protective tariffs, National Bank, federally-funded internal improvements, and the end of his presidency Key people: Kitty Floyd and Dolley (Payne) Madison For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidentialchron...

James Madison #8: Mr. Madison's War (1809-1815); Topics covered include: Conflict with Great Britain and France, impressment, Embargo Act of 1807, Non-Intercourse Act, Macon's Bill #2, War Hawks, War of 1812 (including burning of Washington, D.C.), Hartford Convention, and the Treaty of Ghent Key people: Thomas Jefferson, Henry Clay, John Armstrong, William Winder, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Jo...

James Madison #7: Jefferson's Premier (1801-1809); Topics covered include: Thomas Jefferson's presidency, "The Revolution of 1800," Virginia Dynasty, Secretary of State, Louisiana Purchase (including constitutional concerns), Relations with France and Great Britain, Embargo Act of 1807, and election to the presidency Key people: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, John Adams, Napoleon, James Monr...

James Madison #6: Party of the Opposition (1789-1800); Topics covered include: George Washington's presidency, Assumption Bill, National Bank, the press, Jay Treaty, establishing opposition party, break with Washington, John Adams presidency, Alien Act, Sedition Act, and nullification (Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions) Key people: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Li...

James Madison #5: Father of … (1787-1791); Topics covered include: Ratification of the Constitution, Congressman, and the Bill of Rights Key people: Patrick Henry, George Mason, Edmund Randolph, George Washington, Charles Ingersoll, James Wilson, Roger Sherman, Gouverneur Morris, and James Monroe For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidentialchr...

James Madison #4: The Federalist (1787-1788); Topics covered include: "The Federalist" Key people: Alexander Hamilton and John Jay For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidentialchronicles.com/

James Madison #3: The Constitution (1787); Topics covered include: Constitutional Convention, Virginia Plan, and the debates and outcome at the Convention Key people: John Adams, Edmund Randolph, William Paterson, Roger Sherman, Alexander Hamilton, and Gouverneur Morris For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidentialchronicles.com/

James Madison #2: National Catalyst for Change (1786-1787); Topics covered include: Articles of Confederation, Annapolis Convention, Shays's Rebellion, "Vices of the Political System of the United States," and "the enlargement of the sphere" Key people: Alexander Hamilton and George Washington For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidentialchroni...

James Madison #1: Path to Politics (1751-1786); Topics covered include: Youth and school, Montpelier, Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, Revolutionary War, Virginia House of Delegates, and the Articles of Confederation Key people: John Witherspoon and Thomas Jefferson For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidentialchronicles.com/

Thomas Jefferson #10 The Sage of Monticello (1809-1826); Topics covered include: Post-presidency, life at Monticello, Rapprochement with John Adams, slavery, University of Virginia, and his death on the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence Key People: James Madison, James Monroe, Benjamin Rush, and John Adams For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit...

Thomas Jefferson #9 Martha, Maria, and Sally (1770-1826); Topics covered include: Relationships with Martha Jefferson, Maria Cosway, and Sally Hemings; also his children, slavery, and the Head-Heart letter Key People: Martha Jefferson, Maria Cosway, Sally Hemings, and Edmund Bacon For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidentialchronicles.com/

Thomas Jefferson #8: Monarchist? (1801-1809); Topics covered include: Assessment of Jefferson's monarchical leanings including actions related to the Louisiana Purchase, fight against the Barbary Pirates, his political enemies, freedom of the press, charges against Aaron Burr for treason, and the Embargo Act of 1807 Key People: Aaron Burr, John Marshall, and James Madison For more information on t...

Thomas Jefferson #7: Revolution of 1800 (1800-1809); Topics covered include: Election of 1800, President of the United States, Cabinet, patronage, cultural shift, Louisiana Purchase, Lewis & Clark Expedition, Barbary Pirates, death of Polly Jefferson, re-elected, ends international slave trade, Embargo Act of 1807, end of presidency Key People: Aaron Burr, James Madison, Napoleon, James Monroe...

Thomas Jefferson #6: Leader of the Opposition (1794-1800); Topics covered include: Monticello, Democratic-Republican Party, Election of 1796, Vice President, "Jefferson's Manual," Kentucky Resolution/Nullification, and the Election of 1800 Key People: George Washington, James Madison, and John Adams For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidential...

Thomas Jefferson #5: George Washington's Cabinet (1790-1793); Topics covered include: Returns to the United States from France, Secretary of State, Cabinet conflict with Alexander Hamilton, Assumption Bill, Bank of the United States, relations with Britain and France, Jay Treaty, and resignation Key People: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Philip Freneau For more information...

Thomas Jefferson #4: Diplomat (1783-1789); Topics covered include: Congressman, Minister to France, Bonding with John Adams and his family, social and family activities in France, relationship with Maria Cosway, meets King George III, Constitutional Convention, French Revolution, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and returns to the United States Key People: Patsy Jefferson, John...

Thomas Jefferson #3: The War at Home (1776-1783); Topics covered include: Revolutionary War, Monticello, Virginia House of Delegates, political ideology, attacks the aristocracy, Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, Governor of Virginia, Death of Martha (wife) Key People: John Adams, George Washington, Martha Jefferson, and James Madison For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" ser...

Thomas Jefferson #2: The Declaration (1776); Topics covered include: Second Continental Congress, Declaration Committee, and the Declaration of Independence Key People: Richard Henry Lee, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and King George III For more information on the "Presidential Chronicles" series, please visit https://www.presidentialchronicles.com/

Thomas Jefferson #1: Youth to Rebel (1743-1775); Topics covered include: Youth and education, lawyer, marriage, inherited wealth, enters politics, supports the rebellion against the crown, and becomes a member of the Second Continental Congress Key People: Peter Jefferson, George Wythe, Francis Fauquier, Martha (Skelton) Jefferson, and John Wayles For more information on the "Presidential Chronicl...

John Adams #10: Retirement (1801-1826); Topics covered include: Post-presidency, Peacefield, Obsession with how he would be viewed by posterity, Rapprochement with Thomas Jefferson, Death on the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Perspective on his life/career Key People: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Rush, John Taylor, and Mercy Warren For more information on the "Pr...