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Thematic Content Massachusetts man John Quincy Adams was very intelligent and hard-rooted in his morals. His beliefs that slavery was a horrible system were outspoken, but he did not believe that abolitionists were going to end it. He believed that abolitionists would threaten the whole nation by separating the Union. Slowly, support for JQA began to grow in the House of Representatives, and the previously passed “gag rule” was lifted, allowing for slavery to be deliberated about in the House. Adams was elected after a controversial decision in 1824 in which candidates Andrew Jackson and William Crawford ran alongside him. As no candidate won the majority of the votes, the decision was kicked to Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House at the time.

Thesis Statement Controversy sparked immediately after John Quincy Adams was elected president, and shadowed over his entire presidency. After being elected in the “Corrupt Bargain,” by Henry Clay, many Americans favored candidate Andrew Jackson. Beginning his presidential term in rough waters, Adams was never able to gain back the support of the American people, and suffered a difficult four years. While he did manage to build the C&O Canal, providing a route of trade west, Adams’ Tariff of 1828 divided the nation down the middle, increasing sectionalism. This tariff was one of the factors in the Civil War. Overall, Adams’ presidency was generally unsuccessful, and due to the overshadowing effects of the Corrupt Bargain on his term, he was not reelected. His administration deserves a D.

Goals During Presidency In his inaugural address, Adams relayed the message that he wanted to uphold the Constitution in any way that he could, following the words of his forefathers. Further, he wanted America to be educated, as he believed that the education of the people was massively important. Adams had the idea of establishing a national university. Pursuing science was another of his goals. He was also very avid that Congress support roads and canals being built, to expand trade and travel. JQA was interested in slowing western expansion in order to treat Natives in Georgia fairly, which was not popular with the ambitious westerners.

Relationship with Congress Adams’ relationship with Congress would have seemed to be favorable with the 19th Congress in session, holding a majority of National Republicans. As no candidate had won the popular vote in the election of 1824, Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House at the time was posed with the decision. Adams confronted him and offered to give him the position of Secretary of State if Clay picked Adams to win presidency. At the time, Secretary of State was almost a guaranteed chance at future president, so Clay accepted. However, after his election by this Corrupt Bargain, many Americans sided with Andrew Jackson. Congress’ majority became Democratic-Republican, and Adams had a difficult time passing any bills. Seemingly in spite of him, Adams’ Congress shot down all of his ideas. They also passed the Tariff of 1828, which Adams signed, losing quite a bit of support.

Positive Actions The only real positive that came out of the presidency of John Quincy Adams was the canal that was created, called the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (sometimes referred to as the C&O Canal). As a supporter of internal transportation and the advances of it, Adams pushed the construction of this canal. It supported the economy of the west, as well as the east, by connecting the two in a trade route more accessible than before. Jobs were supplied in building this canal, and the economy was bettered as a whole because of it. Partly in thanks to Adams, trading increased from East to West, boosting the West further.

Negative Actions Certainly the most negative action that came out of the presidency of Adams was the Tariff of 1828, the Tariff of Abominations. Jacksonians drafted this tariff in hopes that it would heighten support of Andrew Jackson by diminishing appreciation for Adams. Though they expected Adams veto of the tariff passed by Congress on the 19th of May, 1828, he passed it. Instead of alienating the Mid-Atlantic states, like Jacksonians had hoped, he upset the Southern states. Because the tariff aimed toward manufactured goods, the South was displeased by it, since they were large consumers of these goods. Manufactured items were being bought at a price much higher than normal, lowering overall profit of many southerners. England was upset by this tariff as well, as they could not afford the cotton whose price had risen. Though the tariff boosted the manufacturing industry, it eventually led to the Nullification Crisis of 1832, during the term of President Andrew Jackson. This tariff gave Jackson an overwhelming victory in the election of 1832 as it placed Adams in a bad light, increasing support for Jackson throughout. This involved South Carolinians threatening to secede from the Union, and led to further separation of the North and South.

Influential Decision Consequently, Adams’ most negative action corresponds as being the most influential decision during his presidency. The most hated thing he did was also the most important. The effects of the Tariff of 1828 were not only felt immediately, but years later as well. Clearly, this series of tariffs was negative for the South, and ultimately for England as well, but it also had implications in the future. Indirectly, it can be seen as a cause for the Civil War, as sectionalism was promoted as a result of this tariff. As in many cases, the North and the South were divided in their views of this bill. The North appreciated the protection of their production, while the South was enraged at their consequentially lowered income. Events like these, disagreements divided, had been piling up, and continued to until the Civil War finally broke out. The Nullification Crisis in 1832 became one of the more immediate effects of this tariff, in which people of South Carolina favored nullifying the tariff altogether. Eventually, these arguments led to a movement for South Carolina to secede from the Union. Even after it was resolved, the Nullification Crisis, and the Tariff of Abominations had deep effects in the future of America.

Conclusion John Quincy Adams’ presidency is deemed unsuccessful, as he more aided the division of the nation, rather than the unification of it. Though he supported the building of the C&O Canal to transport goods west, Adams’ presidency overall was shaded by the lasting impression of the “Corrupt Bargain.” The Tariff of 1828, an attempt to sabotage his hopes of a second term from supporters of Andrew Jackson did not help his cause, and further severed ties between the Northern and Southern states. This lasting impression was most influential in his presidential endeavor, skewing views of him into a negative light in general.