Justin+S.+-+JQA+-+SP10



**John Quincy Adams** //July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848 // //Political Party: At the time, the only remaining party was the Republican Party; he was the candidate from the North. // //Terms in office: March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829 // //Vice President: John C. Calhoun (1782 – 1850) //

When John Quincy Adams came to be president, he had some spectacular national programs that he hoped to propose to congress, even though he knew that he was sure to be faced with hostility. He proposed to congress that the government bring the nation together with a series of highways and canals. He also urged the U.S. to develop their arts and sciences programs by creating a national university, funding scientific explorations, and building an observatory. These proposals brought about a mixed crowd of feelings, for which President Adams will receive a C+ from me.

As a president, John Q. Adams hoped to achieve many things, some of them overambitious. One of the goals he had was to create a series of highways and canals though out the country that would in turn unite the country. This goal was somewhat accomplished. The only things that did happen were that the Cumberland Road was extended into Ohio and that the Chesapeake and Ohio Canals were created. No great network of commute was created. Another thing that President Adams hoped to accomplish was to increase the development to the U.S.’s arts and sciences. He hoped to establish a national university and to create an observatory. His critics claimed these measures were beyond constitutional limitations and he was denied.

John Adams’s relationship with congress was not the greatest. Due to the fact that a great majority of congress was in support of Jackson, many individuals in congress considered that a “corrupt bargain” had taken place. During the election, none of the candidates had the majority of votes, so the decision was passed on to the House of Representatives. Here, Henry Clay threw his crucial support behind Adam’s and in turn was made Secretary of State. Things got so bad that Henry Clay challenged one of his most severe critics to a duel. Fortunately, both missed.

Even though most of Adams’s presidency was that well off, there were some positive things that he achieved. For one thing, he created a more extensive network of canals and highways that helped to increase the trade throughout the country. Another thing that was positive about his term in office was his support of the U.S. participation in the Panama Congress. Adams’s wanted U.S. delegates to attend the Panama Congress but southern congressmen feared that the meeting might be used to condemn slavery. As a result, they managed to delay conformation of the U.S. delegates long enough so that it would be impossible for the delegates to reach Panama in time for the meeting.

Along with these positive outcomes, there were some negative ones. Adams’s proposed a tariff on imported manufactured goods to protect the domestic industry that was very high. This tariff came to be known as the “Tariff of Abominations.” The supporters of Andrew Jackson, who opposed the tariff, tried to kill the tariff by amending it to include a stiff tariff on imported raw materials used for manufacturing in New England. Despite its flaws, the tariff was made a law by the New England legislators. Even though its high rates were reduced, it prompted vice president Calhoun to create the South Carolina Exposition which condemned the tariff as unconstitutional. It also gave each state the right to nullify any such federal laws. This bill carried on after Adams’s presidency allowing states to oppose unfair bills and laws enacted upon them.  I think that John Quincy Adams as president didn’t have an overall effect on the U.S. in either a positive or negative way. He didn't do a bad job as president because he made decisions, he did a bad job because he didn't many decisions at all. His administration only contributed to the country a little bit, that being the canals and highways and indirectly, the South Carolina Exposition. Overall, I believe that John Q. Adams deserves a C+ for his efforts as president. 

Bibliography:
 * Degregorio, William A.. //Complete Book of the U.S Presidents//. Fourth Edition ed. New York: Value Proprietary, 1993. Print.
 * "John Quincy Adams | The White House." //The White House//. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2010. .
 * "The adams administration - John Quincy Adams - war, foreign." //Presidents: A Reference History//. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2010. .