Presidential Campaign and War of 1812

Kelsey Roggensack’s video “The Honourable DeWitt Clinton” introduces voters to DeWitt Clinton’s candidacy, a figure largely lost to history. Her video shows how towering a figure he was in his own time. His service included long stints as mayor of New York City and as a Senator. She ends with an argument that Clinton, a Republican from New York, would put national interest above party or regional interests. For a detailed explanation of her video, click here.

Sarah Herr counters Kelsey’s arguments in “DeWitt Clinton: Unknown.” She uses his public service against him, accusing him of corruption in office. Perhaps worse, he is an “unknown” figure unworthy of such a national office. For an explanation of her video, click here.

Taylor Foehl’s video for Madison, “A Tried Champion and Defender of Liberty,” runs on the war. Taylor argues that Madison’s tireless service to the nation has proven that he is a fighter devoted to America’s cause.  

Taylor’s argument carried the day. While Clinton had a solid showing with 89 electoral votes, Madison easily secured the support of the South and West, giving him 128 electoral votes.  

The War of 1812 defined Madison’s second term. Waging war proved difficult for the Republican President. The Party’s long-standing fear of standing armies and of centralized institutions meant that the government was ill-equipped to fight a protracted conflict. The administration struggled to raise the necessary troops and funds.

The experience of war forced Madison to reconsider his position on federal power. Just before he left office, he endorsed a new National Bank and offered tepid support for federal funding of internal improvements, like a national turnpike that connected east to west. Madison’s new position on the bank and internal improvements proved controversial and divided the Republican Party. Next week, we will turn to Madison’s successor, James Monroe, who inherited this controversy and faced some others.