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** (July 11, 1767 in Braintree, Massachusetts – February 23, 1848 in the Speakers Room in the House of Representatives)  ** ** Political Party: Democratic-Republican  ** ** Term: March 4, 1825, to March 4, 1829  ** ** Vice President: John C. Calhoun  **
 * John Quincy Adams **

Under John Quincy Adams, globalization was weakened. Upon entering office, America had made great strides in acquiring the Oregon and Florida territory, something Adams had accomplished with the help of President Monroe. America had also formed the brilliant Monroe Doctrine, which had strengthened America’s foreign policy and security. Hoping to surpass his accomplishments as Secretary of State, Adams took office. Although Adams was an extraordinary statesman, he proved to be substantially less when it came to being President. With the watch of Adams, the dreaded Tariff of Abominations was passed. With the inspiration to protect American industry, the Tariff of Abominations was passed. The tariff drove up the costs of imported manufactured goods and encouraged retaliatory tariffs abroad on American goods. Without intention, Adams greatly angered the South who thought they had been discriminated against because the tariff had the greatest effect on them, as they were looking to import cheap manufactured goods. With the passing of the tariff, Adams had created difficulties with foreign commerce as well as encouraged domestic sectionalism. However, in Adams term of office, great leaps were made to bridge the racial divides with the publishing of James Fenimore Cooper’s “The Last of the Mohicans.” Cooper’s book told the tale of a white man and a Mohican Indian who became united in the fight against the Huron tribe in order to save white military leaders. His novel encouraged peaceful alliances with Indians and perhaps persuaded Adams to deal peacefully with the Cherokee Indians during his Presidency. Although Adams tried to deal peacefully with Indians and encourage American Industry, globalization would take a significant downfall during his tenure in office.
 * Thematic Context **

John Quincy Adams and his administration deserve a D+ for their time in office. Adams was never quite able to win the hearts of many Americans after the supposed “Corrupt Bargain,” by which he attained Presidency. Adams proved to be inept in solving many problems during his Presidency, including dealing with the Cherokee Indians, gaining support to use public funds for transportation and education, ,and encouraging sectionalism through political and economic measures. Even though Adams is regarded as one of the most decorated Secretaries of State, he proved that sheer political ability does not necessarily determine the success of a President.
 * Thesis Statement **

John Quincy Adams was well known for his strict devotion to the Constitution. In his inaugural speech, Adams proved to stand true to his values and he defended the Constitution. He swore to “Preserve, protect, and defend,” the Federal Constitution, of which he was the only President to be sworn in with their hand on the Constitution, instead of the Bible. Adams begins to express his role as President under the Constitution, where he plans the use of internal improvements to strengthen the Union. He wanted his role as President to be lasting and he believed that improving America from the ground up would build a legacy and have his name remembered. Adams defends, “The roads and aqueducts of Rome have been the admiration of all after ages.” If Adams were to continue the growth of the country through construction projects, such as the completion of the first national road, then he would have a profound effect on the economy and gain popularity among those influenced by the ability to grow and travel. John Quincy Adams finishes with the saddening statement, “Less possessed of your confidence in advance than any of my predecessors, I am deeply conscious of the prospect that I shall stand more and oftener in need of your indulgence.” As Adams took the conquest of office, he knew he was not the choice by popular vote. But Adams swore with a dying vengeance that he would do his best for the American people and use his political talents for the betterment of the Union.
 * Goals **

At the start of John Quincy Adams’ Presidency, Adams was fortunate to have control of Congress and pass his national internal improvement programs. Adams was able to grant the extension of the Cumberland Road, a national highway, and begin the construction of canals in Delaware and Ohio. Congress was quite quiet during Adams’ Presidency. Most of the legislation passed during Adams’ time dealt with internal improvements. But once angry jacksonians elect representative which loosens Adams’ grip on Congress, the tide changes. Adams’ nationalistic programs are approved and the dreaded Tariff of Abominations is passed. The Tariff of 1828 symbolized Adams’ loss of Congress and foreshadowed the shame of the rest of Adams’ time in office. Once Adams lost his valued relationship with Congress, his internal improvement measures were not passed and Adams’ greatest strides were taken from his grasp.
 * Relationship With Congress **

Perhaps Adams’ greatest achievement was what he set out to do in the beginning of his Presidency. Adas advocated for internal improvements, such as the completion of the Erie Canal and the construction of railroads in Baltimore and Ohio. With the improvement of methods of transportation and commerce, big cities such as Rochester and Syracuse blossomed. Ships were able to navigate through canals and open up areas which were once quite difficult to trade with. Food prices, which were once expensive given the distance and time it took to ship them, were cut in half. Upon the improvement of transportation, the United States was a more connected country. The South began to trade with the rival North and they became dependent upon one another more each day. Adams’ internal improvements had created an interconnected web of states which began to see change through commerce, technological advances, and communication. His works could have possibly encouraged other Presidents to advocate for internal improvements upon recognition of America’s growth under his term.
 * Positive Event **

One of the biggest mistake during Adam’s Presidency was letting the Tariff of Abominations run through Congress and get passed. With his nationalistic views, John Quincy Adams hoped a high tariff on imported manufactured goods would protect American Industry from its competition in Europe. Adams, a man born in the New England states, appeared to do what was best for the North. The middle and New England states supported the tariff which allowed their very own wool and textile industries to boom. But the tariff could not have cause more trouble in the South and the West. In southern states, high tariffs meant that they could no longer buy cheap European manufactured goods. Because the South had a miniscule manufacturing industry, they were forced to buy Yankee goods from the North and watch the North reap what they had sown. Western states, who produced mainly agricultural goods to export to Europe, were distraught when Europe placed retaliatory tariffs on their agricultural goods. The South was upset to see the Northeast prosper from the blasted tariffs, while they sold home grown cotton in markets unprotected by tariffs. The brilliant statesman had failed to recognize the divide he had created. With the South growing weary of the North, sectionalism divided the country. Southern states feared the federal government who was interfering with the economy. They feared the government may extend its greedy hands into slavery in the South. South Carolina declared the tariff “unjust and unconstitutional.” With his mistake to recognize the division the tariff would create, Adams had further sectionalized the country in one foul swoop.
 * Negative Event **

John Quincy Adams’ most influential decision came in the form of a protective tariff on imported manufactured goods. Adams hoped to use revenue the tariff generated in order to build a solid infrastructure in America. He hoped to build canals and roads for transportation, an astronomical observatory, and even a national university. Adams’ support of efficient transportation helped to complete the Erie Canal, which created a vital shipping lane, valuable in terms of economic interests. He may have inspired Presidents in the future to support a solid infrastructure which encourage the flow of wealth and ideas, such as the invaluable steamboat. But the tariff also had a profound effect on America during Andrew Jackson’s Presidency. When South Carolina nullifies the tariff, Jackson flaunts his executive power and threatens to invade the state and hang nullifiers. The protective tariff had created the perfect conditions for Jackson to extend his executive power and raise debate over the expanse of his power. Adams’ decision to support the tariff may have built a stronger infrastructure, but it further sectionalized the country because of the way it expanded the executive power and created discriminatory economic divisions.
 * Influential Decision **

John Quincy Adams was considered a much better Secretary of State than he was a President. He lacked the popularity in a time of “baby-kissing” politics. After the “Corrupt Bargain,” it was evident that John Quincy Adams would never truly win the hearts of the people. On the bright side, John Adams was able a great statesman and he did a decent job handling foreign relations during his time as President. The United States was not involved in any major wars. But, Adams’ was never able to truly advance the Union in a clearly sectionalized country. Perhaps his only achievement was the internal improvements he advocated furiously for. John Adams left the country in a worse state after his Presidency because he forced the country to elect the popular candidate, instead of a proven statesman such as himself. Adams’ ability to pay off some of the debt and advance the construction of internal improvements are the only safeguards preventing him from dropping below a D+ during his Presidency.
 * Conclusion **

Bailey, Thomas Andrew, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Print.
 * Works Cited **

John Quincy Adams: "Inaugural Address," March 4, 1825. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=25809.

"John Quincy Adams | The White House."The White House. The White House Blog, n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2013..

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on The Last of the Mohicans.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 14 Feb. 2013.

Wikipedia contributors. "John Quincy Adams." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 5 Mar. 2013. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.