John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams
6th President of the United States
Term of office March 4, 1825 - March 4, 1829
Political party	National Republican
Vice President	John C. Calhoun
Preceded by	James Monroe
Succeeded by	Andrew Jackson
Born	July 11, 1767 Quincy, Massachusetts
Died	February 23, 1848 (aged 80) Washington, D.C.
Spouse	Louisa Catherine Johnson
Religion	Unitarian

John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States of America. He served one term as President (1825–1829) and then returned to Congress where he spent the remainder of his political career pursuing abolitionist motives. He was the son of President John Adams and Abigail Adams. After graduating from Harvard College, he became a lawyer. At 26 he was appointed Minister to the Netherlands by President George Washington, then promoted to the Berlin Legation. In 1802 Adams was elected to the US Senate and 6 years later President Madison appointed him the first U.S. Minister of Russia. John Quincy Adams served as one of the great Secretaries of State under President James Monroe,arranging with England for the joint occupation of the Oregon Country, obtaining from Spain the cessation of the Floridas, and helping to formulate the Monroe Doctrine. He died in Washington D.C. February 23, 1848.

Early Life

He was born in Braintree, Massachusetts (which would later be renamed Quincy) on July 11, 1767 to John and Abigail Adams. He was encouraged by his parents to study hard and cultivate his mind. As the American Revolutionary War broke out many refugees,from areas near the battle sites, stayed at the Adams household. When his father was sent as an ambassador to France by the Continental Congress, John Quincy went with him. He would remain in Europe for the next nine years. While in France he studied at the Passy Academy. Later John Adams sent his son to the Dutch University of Leiden, where he was able to study for two years and learn both Latin and Greek. When American Diplomat, Francis Dana, looked for a interpreter to travel with him to Russia, John Quincy, who knew Russian, volunteered. They remained in Russia for over a year waiting for the Russians to open talks with them. While in Russia, John Quincy studied hard in St.Petersburg, until they finally left. He returned to his father in Hague, Holland. John Quincy assisted John Adams, as a secretary, while his father served as an ambassador to the many European nations. He returned to America and attended Harvard College, from which he graduated in July 1787. He then learned law, while serving as a clerk in Newport, Massachusetts. After Thomas Paine published a pamphlet criticizing President Washington's policies and Federal Powers, John Quincy wrote a series of articles called Publicola, defending the President. He worked in law for two years until appointed by Washington as U.S. minister to Holland.

Public Service

He eventually arrived in Holland as ambassador during a time of war. The French had invaded Holland and for a time was in great danger of being exterminated. Fortunately, the French were defeated by the Dutch armies, after which he returned to America to wait for a new government to be established. While at home he was engaged to a Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson. They were eventually married on July 26, 1797. He continued his work as diplomat to Holland, until he was chosen as the minister to Portugal. But before he could leave, his father, John Adams, became President of the United States. John Adams chose his son to go as ambassador to Prussia, instead of Portugal. He kept the post successfully for the next four years. His father though was a very unpopular President and lost the 1800 election to Thomas Jefferson. Because of this John Quincy returned home to his family with his wife and son, George. He was later elected in 1803 to the U.S. Senate representing Massachusetts. Although supported by Federalists, he often differed from their policies. One way in which he angered the Federalists was by supporting Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana territory. He also supported Jefferson's demand for a British Trade Embargo for firing on the American Frigate, the Chesapeake. Because he angered his former allies in the Massachusetts Legislature, he was removed from office in 1808. In 1809 the new President, James Madison appointed Adams to be the diplomat to Russia. He remained there, even when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Russia unsuccessfully. His career as a diplomat was immensely successful. Adams also helped the U.S. and Great Britain to reach and sign the Treaty of Ghent. He also served as the Ambassador to Great Britain. Then from 1817 to 1825 Adams served as the Secretary of State under James Monroe. During his time in Monroe's cabinet, Adams helped Monroe to formulate the famous Monroe Doctrine.

Election to the Presidency

As the 1824 Presidential race drew near people began looking for candidates. New England voters admired Adams' patriotism and political skills and it was mainly due to their support that he entered the race. Several candidates opposed him such as John C. Calhoun, William Crawford, Henry Clay and the hero of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson. During the campaign Calhoun dropped out, and Crawford fell ill giving further support to the other candidates. When the election day came, Andrew Jackson won, although narrowly, the Popular and Electoral vote. However, because no candidate received a clear majority, a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives was necessary. Thanks to the support of Henry Clay, who realized he couldn't win the election, Adams held the majority of 13 states.

Presidency

Adams aroused suspicion by appointing Henry Clay as his Secretary of State, Adams defended his decision saying that Clay was the right man for the job. One of his priorities while being the President was supporting many public projects such as military academies, universities, canals, and even an astronomical observation tower. Often he had difficulty convincing Congress to enact these kind of work projects. Adams was President when the 50th Independence day happened, on which both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died ironically. The Presidency also saw the return of the elderly Marquis de Lafayette to America. John Quincy Adams' term in office was one of progression and industry, but for Adams himself one of discouragement and unpopularity, which followed Adams all the way to the end of his term.

Public Office after Presidency

After being defeated by Andrew Jackson, Adams retired in Quincy, Massachusetts. However, in 1830 he ran and won a seat in the house of Representatives. His most dedicated work in Congress was against slavery. He protested the gag rule, as well as the Mexican-American War. He suffered a stroke on February 21, 1848. He died two days later in the evening of February 23, 1848 in the capital of Washington D.C.

Miscellaneous Facts

• The French aristocrat and American hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, gave John Quincy Adams an alligator as a pet. Adams kept it in a bathroom in the White House until he left office in 1829.

• Adams was also responsible for the first installation in the White House of a pool table. Among his more unusual hobbies, he regularly went skinny dipping in the Potomac river. The first American female professional journalist, Anne Royall, knew of Adams' habit of taking nude swims at 5 a.m. She had frequently asked for interviews with him and been refused, so she went to the river and sat on his clothes until he answered her questions, becoming the first woman to interview a president.

• Adams was the first president to have his photo taken (April 13, 1843). [1]

• His wife was the only foreign First Lady America has ever had and kept silk worms in order to have gowns made from their products.

• He is one of the two Presidents to have had his father previously elected President. The only other instance is George W. Bush.

• He is the only President to have entered Congress after being President.