Matt+S.+-+JQA+-+SP10

**__ John Quincy Adams __** July 11th, 1767-February 23rd, 1848 Party: Democratic-Republican Term(s): 1825-1829 Vice President: John C. Calhoun If there was ever an example of a man’s family name placing him in the top role in America, John Quincy Adams was the guy. Being the son of the second president, John Adams, J.Q gained a lot of experience when with his father and by the time of his campaign, had a decorated resume. However even with all these credentials, when it came to running the country John Quincy did not succeed. It started with the notorious “Corrupt Bargain” with Henry Clay and continued throughout his term; with not much support little can be done to help the country. John Quincy Adams deserves a “**C**” for his term as president.
 * __Thesis:__**

One of the main reasons why Adams was not the most beloved president was because he did not hold the same goals as the rest of the country. Ten years have past since the War of 1812 and the country was ready to take the step from nationalism into sectionalism. John Quincy Adams was one of the few who still believed in the American System. The American System consisted of three parts: high tariffs to generate revenue, a strong National Bank, and internal improvements such as road and canal building. His main goals were create highways and canals that spanned the country, as well as create a national university and an astronomical observatory. These were not necessarily bad ideas, and some worked out fine. The Ohio and Chesapeake Canals, and the Cumberland Road were built or started in this era. But America was too young for these luxuries and the Americans believed that Adams should have focused more on the internal government.
 * __Goals:__**

John Quincy Adams never had a good relationship with his Congress because he never had enough support from the House and Senate to support his ideas. The experienced men did not approve of Adams because they could not get past the fact that the “Corrupt Bargain” was the only reason he landed in office in the first place and thought it was unconstitutional and deceiving. Many of these Senators and Representatives were Pro-Jackson, so they would do anything for Adams. For most of his presidency, anything that Adams put through Congress was rejected just by the fact Adams supported it, even if it was for a good cause that everyone thought was right. His ignorance to the Jacksonian Democrats and overall laziness with such important topics gave more opposition to him. To conclude it is hard to have a relationship with your Congress when they do not share the same values.
 * __Relationship w/ Congress:__**

Even if his presidency is marked by negative choices, to say that John Quincy Adams made no positive decisions would not be true. Because of his belief in the American System, many internal advances in transportation took place in his term. The administrations construction on highways, canals and other kinds of transportation was not only the most positive outcome but the most influential for the future. The administration achieved considerable progress in support of harbor improvement and road and canal development, specifically the extension of the Cumberland Road into Ohio with surveys for its continuation west to St. Louis and the completion of the Erie Canal which connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canals. Aside from making it quicker and easier for pioneers to move west, both also played significant roles in the progression of commerce. The canals in particular made for much cheaper shipping costs as well as many more jobs for the unemployed immigrants. On the influential side of things, Adams was the first president to strongly push for internal improvements. Even though some believe he was too early to be worrying about this and should be more focused on the government itself, he set the bar for expansion of highways and canals, which in effect helped the economy.
 * __Positive/ Influential Decision:__**

As we already know there were many negative impacts that came from Adams term. The one that stands below them all was the Tariff of 1828, better known as the "Tariff of Abominations" as a name given by the South Carolinians, as well as the Jacksonians. The tariff was put into effect to protect American industries by putting large taxes on all foreign imports. Adams had the support of the north and west because it made a market for American goods, and it fit into line with Adams' nationalistic ideals. However, for as much as it was a success it had in the north, it was it was set up for failure in the South. Because the south’s economy relied on agriculture like cotton and tobacco and depended on these foreign imports, many Southerners were furious over this Act. South Carolina was hit the hardest when Vice President Calhoun demanded nullification of the Act and was willing to separate from the Union. If Adams’ presidency was not bad enough, this event destroyed any chance he had at reelection.
 * __Negative:__**

The reason why Adams is not remembered as a successful president was because we was the first president to leave one important, influential mark that makes him remembered. The country was definitely not better after his presidency than before, but he also did not change the country for the worse. Because of his infamous “corrupt bargain” and the “Tariff of Abominations”, that sunk John Quincy Adams grade down to a **__C__**.
 * __Conclusion:__**

[|http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/jqadams][] [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Quincy_Adams][]