John Quincy Adams Cole Young Civics 8 Preville

Background and Additional Facts John Quincy Adams was Born on July 11, 1767, in Braintree, Massachusetts He had one sister, Abigail Smith and two brothers, Charles and Thomas Boylston. His wife, Louisa Catherine Johnson was the only foreign born first lady. He had three children, George Washington Adams, John Adams II, and Charles Francis. John Quincy Adams Graduated from Harvard University in 1787 and became a lawyer. John Quincy was fluent in French, Dutch and German. He was proficient in Italian, Latin and classical Greek. He had a pet alligator in the White House John Quincy had a stroke while the House of Representatives was discussing a matter he strongly opposed. When it came to voting he cried “No!” and collapsed. He died two days later on February 23, 1848

Political Experiences Before Presidency John Quincy Adams was said to have done more before his presidency then while president. George Washington appointed John Quincy Adams U.S. minister to Holland. When John Adams was elected president, he appointed his son U.S. minister to Prussia. In 1802, John Quincy was elected to the Massachusetts legislature, and one year later, he was elected the U.S. Senate. John Quincy was a member of the Federalist Party, but was never a strict party man. In June 1808, Adams broke with the Federalists, resigned from his Senate seat and became a Democratic-Republican. In 1809, President James Madison appointed him minister to Russia. Adams was then withdrawn from Russia to be the chief negotiator for the U.S. during the Treaty of Ghent, settling the War of The following year, Adams served as minister to England. John Quincy Adams served as secretary of state for President James Monroe from 1817 to He the purchase of Florida form Spain with the Adams-Onis Treaty. He also helped negotiate the Treaty of 1818, settling the conflict over the Oregon country. Adams also crafted the Monroe Doctrine, which stated the United States would resist any European country's efforts to prevent independence movements in Latin America

Presidency In 1824, Adams entered a five-way race for the presidency with John C. Calhoun, William H. Crawford, Henry Clay, and the military hero General Andrew Jackson. When neither John Quincy Adams nor Andrew Jackson won the majority of electoral votes, the U.S. House of Representatives voted Adams into office. In his first year in office, Adams had several ideas that he felt would promote science. He set aside public lands for conservation, surveyed the entire U.S. coast, and built astronomical observatories. He also founded the Smithsonian Institution. He proposed a progressive national program, which included the funding of an interstate system of roads and canals and the creation of a national university. The Erie Canal was completed while Adams was in office, linking the Great Lakes to East Coast.

Life After Presidency John Quincy Adams did not retire after leaving the office. In 1830, he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1836, Adams focused on his feelings towards anti-slavery. In 1841, he debated in front of the Supreme Court and won the freedom of African slaves in the Amistad case. On February 21, 1848, John Quincy Adams argued on the floor of the House of Representatives, to honor U.S. Army officers who had served in the Mexican-American War. During the event, Adams collapsed, suffering from a substantial cerebral hemorrhage. He was taken to the Speaker's Room in the Capitol Building, where he died two days later.

Summary John Quincy Adams had the character of his father: Unfriendly, stubborn and independent in his opinions. As president, he wanted to improve the economy and promote education. Adams also paid off much of the national debt. However, His decisions made him disliked with the parties he somewhat belonged to. All in all, I would say he was not a very good president, but a great Secretary of State under James Monroe.

Citations "John Quincy Adams." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 15 Jan "John Quincy Adams." Bio. A&E Television Networks, Web. 15 Jan "John Quincy Adams." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Jan (For pictures only)