Kyle Jenks — James Madison and the War of 1812: “Should we fight Great Britain—or Great Britain and France?”

Kyle Jenks

“The war was necessary to protect our economy and secure and vindicate our independence.” This is what President Madison said to summarize the necessity of what became known as the War of 1812. How and why did we enter another war? President Madison had many conflicting issues to manage. Partisan politics, sectional divisions, internal cabinet strife, military incompetence, war with Algiers, threats of secession, an invasion of the Capital City . . . Oh, and lest we forget, Napoleon! Kyle Jenks, portraying President Madison, will speak to these matters during his session about the War of 1812.