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John Quincy Adams

Born: July 11, 1767 Died: February 23, 1848

Political Party: Republican

Term: March 4 1825 - March 3 1829 Vice President: John C. Calhoun

John Quincy Adams deserves an C because although he helped the government in several ways, Adams did not represent the wants of the general American population or take the steps to help his administration make changes. John Quincy Adams came into the presidency in 1825, at a time when nationalistic ideals were becoming old news. States-rights and sectionalism was becoming more and more prominent. The new nationalistic president clashed immensely with the views and needs of the American people. John Quincy Adam's main goals when achieving the presidency, was to help support Henry Clay's "American System" through the construction of canals and roads to help connect the North, South, and West. He also encouraged federal funding for other improvements like a National University and an astronomical observatory, that would be funded by tariffs.

Adams did not take part in a spoils system like Andrew Jackson's when he took office. He left all competent officeholders in their positions, with no positions for his supporters. Therefore, Adams did not have many allies in the government. His attempts to fairly work with the Cherokee Indian land disputes was overthrown by the Georgian Governor in a threat to arm against the federal authority protecting the Indians. Adams administration did not accomplish passing any legislature, except for the Tariff of 1828 (the Tariff of Abominations). This tariff greatly effected the events Andrew Jackson's presidency. Many of the Southern states, especially South Carolina, were against the tariff. In 1832, the tariff forced Jackson to deal with a rebellion when South Carolina declared the Tariff of 1832 (the scaled down version of the Tariff of Abominations) null and void within the state.

The most positive action of the Adams administration was the push for internal improvements and support of the "American System". This action was an attempt to tighten the connection between the separate sections forming in the country and slow the growing support of sectionalism. The worst action of his administration was the passing of the Tariff of 1828, for although it was used to support internal improvements, it brought much strife to the country, and added to the growing sectionalism they were trying to prevent.

Overall the country was a little worse after John Quincy Adams' term as President. He was unable to pass any legislature, but one tariff that did more harm than good, and he was unable to enforce his policies or goals for internal improvement. Therefore he deserves only a C for barely accomplishing anything during his presidency.

Works Cited

"American President: John Quincy Adams: A Life in Brief." Miller Center of Public Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2011.

"John Quincy Adams | The White House." The White House. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2011.

Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas Andrew Bailey. The American pageant: a history of the Republic. 12th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. Print.