Kyle+S.

John Quincy Adams Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts, July 11, 1767 - Washington D.C. February 23, 1848 Federalist, Democratic-Republican, Whigs One Term (1825-1829) Vice President John Calhoun Thematic Context: John Quincy Adams was a cold and stubborn man that commanded respect instead of popluarity. While the nation was leaning towards sectionalism and states rights, Adams went against that and favored nationalism. John was not an abolitionist but with his movement towards free speech of slavery in congress helped him gain some support in congress. Adams worked towards a modern economy by paying off a great amount of the national debt and promoted education. His land policy was hated by the westerners as they wanted wide open and expansion. His land policy was a huge change in American identity. Adams established the Chesapeake Canal and the Cumberland Road which were two major transport routes of the nation. The routes were valuable for travel and for trade. They also opened up new ways to travel and expand westward.

Thesis: John Quincy Adams, the son of John Adams and the 6th president, held little support from the nation after being elected into rule through the "Corrupt Bargain". Adams gained much respect in his career which helped him move up in congress but he had no popularity. Adams had many contributions to the country that postively affected it but because of his election he wasn't praised for his decisions. One of his main decisions for the nation was modernization of the country, which included the canals and roads for transportation across the land, and a national university. Adams lost more support for his generousity towards the native americans, because the people wanted westward expansion but he didn't want to take over indian territory, which eventually lead to the trail of tears. John's presidency was fairly well and many of his decisions were greatful to the naiton but went unnoticed so he never received credit. Many would disagree that he was a good president, but he deserves a B for his authority as president and his contributions to the nation.

Goals: John's main goal as president was to modernize the country and begin internal improvements. He attempted to establish the Chasepeake Canal and the Cumberland Road, and many other canals that connected the Great Lakes to the Ohio River System. Adams believed in public education and wanted to play off the national debt. His goals were very successful as he completed the canl and road, and even built other canals around the nation. With the national debt, Adams payed much of it off, from $15 million to $6 million leaving the rest to be paid off by Jackson. Even though his goals were well accomplished and helped build America, he was not praised for them due to the election and low support.

Relations with congress: John Adams did not have a very well relationship with congress as they turned down many of his requests and proposals for the country. Adams suggested that the country should not expand west and allow the indians to control their territory as he was very generous towards them, but congress denied his proposal and allowed westward expansion. The congress consisted mostly of his enemies the Democratic-Republicans, so most of his proposals were put down because they disliked and disagree with their enemy, John Quincy Adams.

Positive: John's most positive proposal and action in office had to be the creation of the Chasepeake and Ohio Canal and the Columbia Road. These constructions opened up a whole new trade and travel route. The Columbia Road, from the Potomac to the Ohio River system crossing the Alghenny Mountains, was a highway that opened up a gateway to the west for many settlers. The C&O canal connected the Great Lakes and the Ohio River system. Negative: One of Adams' most negative proposals was the Tariff of 1828 or the Tariff of Abominations. This tariff was passed and designed to protect the northern industries and manufacturers of the nation. The industries were being pushed out of business by low priced imported goods, so a tax was put on these goods to protect the industry. The south though, were upset and harmed by this tariff becuse they were forced to pay higher prices on goods that weren't even produced in the region. This lead to the Nullification crisis of the south, South Carolina. This tariff had a huge, but negative, affect on the southern economy.

Influential: The most influential act by Quincy would be, also, the Tariff of Abominations, because of it leading to the Nullification in South Carolina. The south were hurt because of the tariff proposed and passed by Adams. The South, not producing the imported goods that were now being taxed, had to pay a higher price because the north did produce these products. The south wanted to nullify and void the Tariff in South Carolina because, to them, it was an unfair tax that favored the North. So the south threatened to secceed from the union unless this Tariff was fixed or abolished. This would influence future presidents in considering all regions of the nation when proposing a new bill, instead of just speculating one region. Conclusion: After all, John Quincy Adams was a good president for the country of America because he had many positive contributions. Eventhough he was not recognized for everything he did, unless it was negative, he still helped out the nation in many positive ways, that again went unnoticed. Proposals like the C&O canal and the Columbia road, and his movement towards free speech of slavery in congress were very affective and eventually really helped out the country in different ways. The Tariff of 1828 was obviously a negative proposal as it did focus on just the north, but it wasn't as negative as most would think. The tariff actually would affect and influence the future proposals and lead to equal consideration to all sections of the country, and it helped other presidents to not make that mistake. A lot of people would disagree that Adams was a good president, mainly because of the election and "Corrupt Bargain", but he was actually a well president for America, earning a letter grade of B.

Bibliography:

Bailey, Thomas Andrew, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. //The American Pageant. a History of the Republic//. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Print.

"Chesapeake and Ohio Canal." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Sept. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. .

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"John Quincy Adams Biography." //BookRags//. BookRags, n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. [].

"Nullification Crisis." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Sept. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. .

"Tariff of 1828." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Mar. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. .