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John Quincy Adams 07.11.1767 - 02.11.1848

Political Party: Democratic Republican Terms of Presidency: 03.04.1825 - 03.03.1829

Vice President: John Calhoun

John Quincy Adams was our counrty's sixth president. He was not the best president the country saw. He may have been one of the brighest, one of the best educated, and one of the most worldy presidents but these traits didn't help him lead the country. Maybe the problem was he did not win the popular vote or have the most votes in the electoral college. He attempted to lead a country in his Federal Government Ideas with out the support of its citizens. I am giving Mr. Adams a C. He did little to improve our country.

John Quincy Adams believed in strong central government. He wanted that government to build roads and canals. Inorder to do this he supported the American system and passed a high tarriff. The term of his presedency brought work on the Erie and Ohio canals. He wanted the government to support scientific research, and idea which was openly rejected. John Quincy also wanted a public university. He really wanted the country to be strong and to expand. He was not very popular with the country. The Jacksonians worked hard at making him look bad. He did not help his own political party and actually appointed people to positions based on there ability. He soon lost almost all his supporters making accomplishing his goals nearly impossible.

As Adam's began his term as president the Senate had a Jacksonian majority. The house had an Adam's majoritly. During this term of congress the Erie canal was opened conecting Albany, New York to Buffulo and to Lake Erie. Also in 1827 the Treaty of St. Louis was signed. This treaty moved the Missouri Shawnees to Kansas. In the second congress during his one term Jacksonians had the majority in both the Senate and House. In 1828 this congress passed the Tarriff of Abominations. Many canals recieved improvements or were started. Becasue Adams' had done his previous job as secretary of state he did not have many foreign issues to deal with. Overall without complete support of his party Adam's and his congress did not get much accomplished.

The best act to come from Adam's presidency was the canals he built. He believed that with transportation the south and north would be able to more easily trade. He saw no issue with the Federal government building these canals. These beliefs supported the American System to make a more self sufficent country. His ideas were not well supported many fearing these canals would bring too much power to the Federal Government. During his presidency the Cumberland Road into Ohio was extended and headed toward St. Louis. The Chesapeake and Ohiop canal were started. Also a connection was made between the great lakes and the Ohio river system. These canals connected the country in various ways and allowed easier travel of goods ultimelty helping the country.

The worst act of John Quincy Adam's was the Tariff of 1828. This tariff was for the protection of the citizens. However it was soon nicknamed the Tariff of Abominations. This angered many southerns as they felt it favored the North. The tariff caused many problems for the nation. After Adams presidency it had to be implementated. His vice president had to condem the tariff. After South Carolina threatened to succeed, they decided that states could say federal laws were not in the states intrest and nullify them. This introduced the Force Bill which was later rejected.

John Quincy Adam's was not a great president regardless of what may have been expected from him. He deserves a C. His previuous work kept the country out of significant foreign affairs but he had trouble leading the country moslty from his lack of support. He accomplished the building of many canals and improvements to roads but other ideas of his were toally ignored. He did not work well with his congess. Overall he was an average president.

"American President: John Quincy Adams: Impact and Legacy." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. Web. 07 Oct. 2009. . "Articles: Adams, John Quincy - Historical Text Archive." //Historical Text Archive: Electronic History Resources, online since 1990//. Web. 06 Oct. 2009. []. "Biography: John Quincy Adams." //Exploring Amistad: Race and the Boundaries of Freedom in Antebellum Maritime America//. Web. 07 Oct. 2009. .