John Quincy Adams | Biography, Born, Facts, & Presidency

What is John Quincy Adams Most Known for?

John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States. John Quincy Adams was the son of John Adams, the Founding Father and second President of the United States. He was known for his accomplishments in his public service both before and after his presidency.

John Quincy Adams Overview:

Growing Up of John Quincy Adams

Adams grew up during the American Revolutionary War. During his childhood, he even watched part of the Battle of Bunker Hill from afar. When his father became ambassador to France and then to the Netherlands, John Quincy also traveled with him. During his travels John learned a lot about European culture and languages ​​and was fluent in French and Dutch.

Adams returned to the United States after the war and enrolled at Harvard University. He graduated in 1787 and became a lawyer in Boston.

Before John Quincy Adams Became President

Influenced by his father, Adams soon became a civil servant. He collaborated in some capacity with each of his first five presidents. He began his political career as US Ambassador to the Netherlands under George Washington. Under his father John Adams, he served as Ambassador to Prussia.

He served as ambassador to Russia and later as ambassador to the United Kingdom under President James Madison. Adams served in the Massachusetts Senate while Thomas Jefferson was president. He served as Secretary of State in the James Monroe administration.

Secretary of State

Adams is considered one of the greatest secretaries of state in US history. He managed to conquer Florida territory from Spain for $5 million. He was also the principal author of the Monroe Doctrine.

An important part of US policy, he said, is that the US protects the countries of the Americas from attacks by European powers. He also helped negotiate the joint occupation of Oregon with Britain.

Presidential Election

In the early days of the United States, the secretary of state was widely viewed as the next presidential candidate. Adams faced war hero Andrew Jackson and Congressman Henry Clay. He received fewer votes than Andrew Jackson in the general election.

However, no candidate received a majority of the votes, so the House had to vote on who would become president. Mr. Adams won the House vote, but many resented that Mr. Adams won because of corruption.

John Quincy Adams’ Presidency

Adams’ presidency was relatively uneventful. He tried to pass legislation to raise tariffs and help U.S. businesses, but Southern states opposed him. The law was never passed. He also worked to build a national transportation system of roads and canals. However, this was also rejected by parliament.

After Being President

A few years into his presidency, Adams was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He is the only president to be elected to the House of Representatives after being president.

He served in the House of Representatives for 18 years and fought hard against slavery. He initially opposed the “gagged” rule, which said slavery could not be debated in parliament. After the “gagged” rule was abolished, he began an argument against slavery.

How did John Quincy Adams die?

Mr. Adams suffered a severe stroke during his tenure as Congressman. He died in a dressing room near the Capitol.

Interesting Facts About John Quincy Adams

He predicted that if a civil war erupted, the president could use his wartime powers to abolish slavery. That’s exactly what Abraham Lincoln did with the Emancipation Proclamation.

He began writing his diary in 1779. By the time he died, he had written fifty volumes. Many historians cite his diary as a direct account of the formation of the early United States.

Adams was quiet and loved to read, and he may have suffered from depression.

He married his wife Louisa in London, England.

The campaign between Adams and Andrew Jackson was particularly ugly.

Adams refused to attend Jackson’s inauguration, becoming one of only three presidents not to attend the inauguration of his successor.

Adams was a major driver of scientific progress. He believed science was important to the future of the United States.