John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams became the 6th President of the USA in 1825. He was the first President to be the son of a former President, John Adams.

John Quincy was born on July 11, 1767 in Braintree, [Massachusetts].  He graduated from [Harvard] College and became a lawyer.  John Quincy became Minister to the [Netherlands] and promoted to the Berlin Legation at age 26.  He was elected to the US [Senate] in 1802.  President Madison appointed him Minister to Russia in 1808.

As [Secretary Of State] under President Monroe, Adams arranged with England for the joint occupation of the Oregon Country, obtained Florida from Spain, and helped President Monroe with the Monroe Doctrine.  Adams also helped to write the treaty that ended the War Of 1812.  These feats make him a notable figure in US foreign affairs.

In 1824, the year of the sixth Presidential election, there was only one political party, [Republican].  There were two sections of the Republican party developing, sectionalism and factionalism.  The election was between 4 men, Adams, Andrew Jackson, [William H Crawford], and Henry Clay.  No canidate had a majority of the electoral votes, so the election was decided by the [House Of Representatives].  Even though Jefferson had 38,000 more popular votes than Adams, the House awarded Admas the Presidency. Jackson later claimed that a "corrupt bargain" had taken place when Adams appointed Clay to Secretary of State after Clay had supported Adams in front of the House.

In his first message, Adams proposed a "spectacular national program" that included the Federal Government bringing the US together with highways and canals and developing and conserving public domain. Adams wanted to establish a national university, finance scientific expeditions and construct obesrvatories.

Adams was defeated by Jackson in the electon of 1828.  Adams returned to Massachusetts to live the rest of his life in peace with his wife, [Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams].  However, the Plymouth district had other ideas, electing him to the House of Representatives in 1830 where he served for the rest of his life.

During his term in the House, Adams fought against slavery.  For eight years he fought against a "gag rule" that all House petitions against slavery had to be tabled.  He finally obtained a repeal of this "rule" in 1844.  In 1841, Adam represented the Africans who were aboard the L'Amistad in front of the [Supreme Court].  The Africans were ordered freed and were returned to Africa.

Adams always stood up for what he believed in, even if it was an unpopular stance.  This is the route that current President George W Bush has taken.  He believes that he is leading our country in the right direction, and not everyone agrees, but Bush continues down the path because he believes in it.  The foreign affairs policies that Bush are persuing will also make him a notable figure in US foreign affairs.  Bush is also the second son of a former President, [George Herbert Walker Bush], to become President.