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__**John Quincy Adams**__  July 11, 1767 - February 23, 1846   Democratic-Republican (though not officially with the party)   In Office: 1825-1829   Vice President: John Calhoun

John Quincy Adams did not have much of an impact in America, but it seems that everything he did changed America’s culture. He had a negative effect on culture when he passed the Tariff of Abominations. This was a heavy hold on foreign trading that stopped the spread of culture from other countries during his presidency. Other than that, Adams is infamous for creating extra infrastructure in America. This opened up more routes to trade or visit far away friends. This united American culture as it united Americans themselves.

The least active president in American history May be John Quincy Adams. Of the four years he spent in office he only got two major things done. He worked hard to improve America’s infrastructure, which he believed to be a problem, but many Americans disagreed. He passed a tariff that caused more disagreement in the country. Overall John Quincy Adams deserves a D grade for his presidency, due to the lack of involvement in his administration.

In a horrendously presented inaugural address, Adams discussed the importance of law. He was sworn in on a book of US laws rather than the traditionally used Bible. Adams set out his main focus in office in his inaugural address when he said, "In compliance with an usage coeval with the existence of our Federal Constitution, and sanctioned by the example of my predecessors in the career upon which I am about to enter, I appear, my fellow-citizens, in your presence and in that of Heaven to bind myself by the solemnities of religious obligation to the faithful performance of the duties allotted to me in the station to which I have been called." In this segment of his speech, he explained how he wanted to follow the constitution strictly. Adams also worked to strengthen America’s transportation, like roads and canals. He was influenced by the completion of the Erie Canal. His progress in America was hindered by his ties with Congress.

John Quincy Adams had a rough relationship with Congress. It seemed as though John Quincy Adams was only focused on infrastructure, but Congress had more important things on their mind. Adams’ inability to focus on details that needed to be fixed in America, ranging from things as small as labor unions to the large political rivalry with Jackson, caused of disagreements between him and Congress. Despite john Quincy Adams’ disagreements with Congress he was able to get them to pass the Tariff of 1828.

Throughout the rough term that John Quincy Adams served, he made little improvement to America. The creation of roads, canals, universities, and many more structures increased drastically in the Adams administration. One of his chief concerns was America’s infrastructure. Although Gov. Dewitt Clinton is credited with this accomplishment, the Erie Canal was finished on the year that Adams came into office. Adams kept the ball rolling with the addition of roads and canals. Adams is known for keeping America away from foreign affairs. This was somewhat ironic due to Adams’ strength in dealing with foreign affairs. Adams did not lead based on his strengths.

John Quincy Adams is most criticized for the Tariff of 1828, or the Tariff of Abominations. This protective tariff was mainly centered on New England. It focused on manufacturing throughout America. It caused a rise in tax on materials that were produced in the northern states. This angered southern states because they had to pay more money for goods they did not produce. The tariff seemed to favor the north. Another issue with his presidency was that he openly disclosed that he was miserable while in office. Americans need a take-charge president that is motivated to do what is right for the country. Adams was not this type of leader. He was an intelligent, master diplomat; however his actions during his years in office did not reflect it.

Though he did little to influence future generations, John Quincy Adams did hurt the South with the Tariff of 1828. The tariff caused them to have to pay more for products that they did not produce. The South realized how fragile their economy was. They also realized the large difference between the regions in America. The bias of the national government towards the North was apparent to them. One could argue that this contributed to North vs. South disputes such as the Civil War.

John Quincy Adams deserves a D for his presidency because he was inactive and made poor decisions with the few that he made. Americans in general did not commend his presidency, and he was not reelected. His clear uncomfort with his position of authority brought the public to the understanding that he was not the right fit for a president.

Works Cited

"American President: John Quincy Adams: Domestic Affairs." Miller Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. .

"John Quincy Adams | The White House." The White House. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. .

"John Quincy Adams: Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and hundreds more. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. .

president, the time Monroe became, several European powers, and in particular Spain. "John Quincy Adams - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. .

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