social studies

The first order issued by President Madison was to call out the militia of the several states to defend the nation’s capital. This call out of the militia was necessary because the United States was engaged in a war with Great Britain and the British were getting closer to Washington D.C. The second order President Madison issued was to begin a systematic defense of the city. This order was significant because it organized the militia and local citizens into various defensive positions around the city and set certain objectives to be met in order to protect the nation’s capital. Many of the units of the militia were deployed to defend the city's east and northwest boundaries. In addition, it was ordered that the Capitol, President's House and other government buildings, be fortified.