John Quincy Adams: life and political career

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS was the sixth (1825-1829) President of the United States. He was the son of President John Adams and the first President whose father was also President (Wikipedia, 2004). Before he won the election in 1824, Adams ran for President in the presidential election of 1820. At the time, President James Monroe ran virtually unopposed for re-election, but one elector cast his ballot for Adams, perhaps to make sure it was not unanimous.

When Adams ran again in 1824, he lost in both the popular and electoral votes (Wikipedia, 2004). However, none of the candidates were able to secure a majority of the electoral vote, thereby yuring the power over to the House of Representatives, which to the surprise of many chose Adams over rival Andrew Jackson. Adams served as President from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829. During this time, his major accomplishment was the development of a federal system of roads, canals, bridges, lighthouses, and universities. Adams remained president until Jackson, who defeated Adams in his campaign for re-election, replaced him.

According to Pearson (2004): "Adams had ambitious plans of government activity to foster internal improvements and promote the arts and sciences, but congressional obstructionism, combined with his own unwillingness or inability to play the role of a politician, resulted in little being accomplished."

In the years before he was President, Adams was selected to serve as secretary of state in the Cabinet of President James Monroe. He took up the post at a turning point in American history (Encarta, 2004). The country had begun an era of expansion and development, and for the first time since its founding, the United States was no longer involved in European struggles, because Europe was finally at peace.

There were some difficult problems during this era and Adams was directly involved (Encarta, 2004). The United States had a conflict with Spain over its colony of Florida. Spain had confined its troops in Florida mainly to barracks at Saint Marks, Pensacola, and Saint Augustine.

The hostile Seminole people, runaway slaves, and outlaws inhabited the remainder of the area. Spain was ordered by treaty to prevent these people from raiding the U.S. border, but failed to do so. When American troops entered Florida in late 1817 and burned a Seminole village, killing some of the residents, the Seminole attacked a U.S. hospital ship and killing 42 people. This act led to the First Seminole War (1817-1818). General Andrew Jackson was ordered to subdue the Seminole.

According to Encarta (2004): "Jackson not only drove the Seminole back into Florida, but marched into Spanish territory and occupied Saint Marks and Pensacola. He captured, courtmartialed, and executed two British subjects who had encouraged the Seminole. As a result of Jackson's forceful action, Spain and Britain filed strong protests with the U.S. government."

Adams was the only member of Monroe's Cabinet to support Jackson (Encarta, 2004). Adams argued that the blame should be placed on Spain for its weak administration of Florida. He convinced Monroe to accept his view and then ordered Spain either to govern Florida more effectively or give it to the United States. Spain, after negotiating, agreed to the demands of Adams, and Florida was given to the U.S.

In 1820, only one political party existed -- the Democratic-Republicans (McGrady, 2004). Adams ran for the presidency against Monroe. However, this was the Era of Good Feelings and Monroe was very popular with the public.

In 1824, five men ran for Presidency. John C. Calhoun dropped out to be vice-president (McGrady, 2004). Since everyone was from the same party, there were no presidential tickets in this election. They voted for each separately. Jackson won the most votes, followed by Adams, William Crawford and Henry Clay. Still, Jackson did not have a majority, so the election was sent to the House of Representatives.

The 12th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States requires that if no candidate for president receives a majority, the election is decided by the House of Representatives from among the three candidates with the highest electoral votes (Encarta, 2004).

Since only the top three candidates were looked at, Clay was eliminated. Because Clay believed he would face Jackson in 1828 for the presidency, he did not want him to already be in office when 1828 rolled around. Thus, he supported Adams in the election. After Adams won, he made Clay his Secretary of State, which had Jackson supporters screaming that a "Corrupt Bargain" had been made.

Clay's support gave Adams the necessary majority, and he was elected president with John C. Calhoun as his vice president. The cry of "Corrupt Bargain" was to haunt Adams throughout his presidency, and it contributed to his defeat in 1828 (Encarta, 2004).

According to U.S.-History.com (2004), "Jackson clearly expected to win, figuring that the House would act to confirm his strong showing. However, Clay, as Speaker of the House, used his influence to sway the vote to Adams. Although they were not close, Clay knew that he and Adams shared a common political philosophy; Clay also knew that Jackson was an avowed opponent of the Bank of the United States, a vital component of the American System. Clay also was not interested in doing anything to further the career of the hero of New Orleans, his main rival in the West."