John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams
6th President of the United States
In office March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1829
Vice President	John Caldwell Calhoun
Preceded by	James Monroe
Succeeded by	Andrew Jackson
Personal details
Born	July 11, 1767(1767-07-11) Braintree, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	February 23, 1848 (aged 80) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Federalist, Republican, National Republican and Whig
Spouse(s)	Louisa Catherine (Johnson) Adams

John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848) was the sixth President of the United States and first President who was the son of a President, John Adams.

Early life

He was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1767. He watched the Battle of Bunker Hill, a fight of the American Revolutionary War, from his family's farm. When his father, John Adams, was in Europe, John Quincy went with him as his secretary. He became good at speaking other languages.

He went to Harvard College and became a lawyer. At age 26 he was appointed Minister to the Netherlands and then he went to Berlin. In 1802 he was elected to the United States Senate. Six years later President James Madison appointed him Minister to Russia.

Adams was Secretary of State when James Monroe was President. He organized joint control of Oregon with England and helped get Florida from Spain. Adams helped make the Monroe Doctrine.

Presidency

Adams was elected president by the United States House of Representatives after the 1824 election that had no one get a majority of electoral votes. People who wanted future president Andrew Jackson to win said there was a deal between Adams and Speaker of the House Henry Clay. Adams made Clay his Secretary of State.

Adams passed law for U.S. improvements as part of what he called the "American System." This means he created roads, canals, and used high tariffs, or taxes on imports and exports. Adams fought Congress many times as many supporters of Andrew Jackson did not like his support of a national bank and tariffs (taxes on trade).

Adams lost the 1828 election to Jackson. The election was noted for the personal attacks made by the candidates against each other.

Later life

Adams returned to Massachusetts for a short time after he was lost. He returned to Washington D.C. in 1831 after being elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was a leading opponent of slavery. He remained in Congress until his death on February 23, 1848.

Other websites

• John Quincy Adams Whitehouse biography