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John Quincy Adams

July 11, 1767 in Braintree (Quincy), Massachusetts - February 23, 1848 in Washington D.C.

Political Party: Federalist until 1808; Democratic-Republican until 1825; National Republican (Whig) until death

Term March 4, 1825 - March 3, 1829

Vice President: John C. Calhoun

Thematic Context John Quincy Adams, though very unpopular, had an impact on the culture of this nation. Adams was ahead of his time and in this way could be compared Benjamin Franklin. As soon as Adams would become president, he would propose to some what would be deemed a crazy project. Adams would propose on his first annual message to congress that the construction of roads and canals, a national astronomical observatory, the founding of a national university, the standardization of weights and measures, and the creation of laws promoting manufacturing, commerce, science, and agriculture were necessary to create a new nation. However, this nation would never undergo many of the changes Adams wished to see and he would be met with resistance and hate throughout his entire administration. The United States would later take pride in scientific feats and a strong education. This could be seen with the creation of NASA during the Eisenhower administration. The United States would also later take pride in their highway system and engage in massive projects that would include the First Transcontinental Railroad. Adams would never gain a strong following with the public and would be unable to get very much done during his brief presidency. Despite all of this, when looking back at his presidency, it becomes evident that Adams was a man ahead of his time. He was a president that left a legacy as an innovator and an American who would change (even if it only affected a few in the beginning) the culture in this nation. A nation once dominated by agriculture and illiteracy would become a leader in almost every field imaginable, and a nation that would be emulated to this very day.

Thesis John Quincy Adams was arguably the most intelligent man to take the office of President of the United States. He was a man of high character. Adams was responsible for the Monroe Doctrine and negotiated the end to the War of 1812. Despite these good traits, Adams did not have a successful administration and thats why he deserves a D. Adams gained the presidency under the premise that he and Clay made a deal. Obviously, things were not in his favor to begin the administration and Adams made it worse by allowing those who were pro-Jackson to keep their positions. Adams as president had good intentions and this could be seen in his effort to follow the “American Way”. This American System and the desire to push the nation in a new direction would define his administration, however Adams would be met with opposition. With just one term served, no great changes were made and nothing significant occurred. However, under his administration, the Tariff of Abominations (designed to hurt his administration) would be passed and boost the New England economy. In the end, Adams’ administration would just be a transition stage in which Jackson would prepare himself for office.

Goals John Quincy Adams had a vision. Adams believed the nation could one day become a leader in commerce. Adams believed this nation had the ability to become a world leader in science. Adams also believed that with good education Americans would put aside political parties and do what was best for the nation. Unfortunately, Adams goals were not accomplished. In his first annual message to Congress, Adams proposed what would be considered an ambitious program. Of course this was met with opposition and the Anti-Adams newspaper would be printed shortly after. Adams’ opposition would come from Southern advocates of States’ rights and those who were in favor of Jackson. Two years later, Adams would attempt to pass a bill to increase tariffs on wool and it would be rejected. The Tariff of Abominations would be passed but this was done with the intent of hurting the Adams Administration.

Relationship with Congress Adams had a poor relationship with Congress. Congress did not think it was in the nation’s best interest to expand and create new federal programs. Instead, many of those who made up Congress were advocates of states’ rights. Many of the other members of Congress were Jackson supporters and this complicated things even more. To make things worse, Adams lacked any great skill or desire to build up loyal supporters. When looking over Adams’ presidency, one will see that little was accomplished. This is the result of a poor relationship with both sides wanting their own way. The lack of change seen due to his relationship with Congress is why Adams deserves a D.

Positive Event <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Adams desire to create more revenue played out well for the country. Under his administration, the national debt would be reduced from sixteen million dollars to five million dollars. This was all due to his policies that sought to raise revenue. Considering he was unable to make many changes, its amazing he was able to bring down the national debt. Just imagine if the tariffs on wool were increased. Adams did manage have some of his internal improvement proposals adopted. Examples include the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and the Louisville and Portland Canal. These projects costed money and Adams still brought down the national debt with a handicap (Congress). The ideas that his new “ambitious” federal programs would waste money were made to look silly.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Negative Event <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By far, the most negative thing to happen during the Adams Administration was the Tariff of Abominations. The tariff was submitted by Jacksonians who thought they could hurt Adams by putting forward a bill they felt was doomed to fail and then promising the people reasonable tariffs would come under the Jackson Administration. To their dismay, the bill passed and the South was hit hard. This was lead directly to the Nullification Crisis in South Carolina that would occur under the Jackson Administration.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Influential Decision <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">During the first year of his presidency, Adams received an offer from Mexico and Colombia who wanted the United States to participate in the Panama Congress. This meeting was intended to create a new union of Latin American countries. Adams accepted and nominated two delegates to attend the meeting. Congress was completely opposed to this. Adams did not consult with Congress, but instead made the decision himself. Both delegates were unable to make it. One died and the other did not make it in time. This meeting would have likely opened trading opportunities for the United States.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Conclusion <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Adams and his time in office will always be seen as a transition period. Adams was at a disadvantage with the claim of a “Corrupt Bargain”, however with his mind he should have been able to have a bigger impact. By adopting good political strategies, many things would have changed and it is likely things would have worked out differently. Then again, Adams was the wrong man for that time period dominated by states’ rights. Perhaps if Adams lived later down the road or earlier (maybe after he negotiated the end to the War of 1812) he would have gained greater success. In the end, though Adams had the right intentions, he served a term in which little change occurred. Because of this I’m forced to give the grade of a D.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sources <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"John Quincy Adams." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2013. < <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">>.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Smith, Carter. Presidents: All You Need to Know. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. Print