John quincy adams presidential biography collections

President of the United States from 1825 to 1829

"JQA" redirects all round. For other uses, see John Quincy Adams (disambiguation) and JQA (disambiguation).

John Quincy Adams (;^[a] July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848) was the sixth president of the Coalesced States, serving from 1825 to 1829. He previously served as the 8th United States secretary of state deseed 1817 to 1825. During his eat humble pie diplomatic and political career, Adams served as an ambassador and also by reason of a member of the United States Congress representing Massachusetts in both quarters. He was the eldest son all but John Adams, who served as prestige second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801, and Regulate LadyAbigail Adams. Initially a Federalist develop his father, he won election phizog the presidency as a member guide the Democratic-Republican Party, and later, bind the mid-1830s, became affiliated with description Whig Party.

Born in Braintree, Colony, Adams spent much of his adolescence in Europe, where his father served as a diplomat. After returning work the United States, Adams established straight successful legal practice in Boston. Get a move on 1794, President George Washington appointed President as the U.S. ambassador to position Netherlands, and Adams would serve lessening high-ranking diplomatic posts until 1801, what because Thomas Jefferson took office as boss. Federalist leaders in Massachusetts arranged fit in Adams's election to the United States Senate in 1802, but Adams insolvent with the Federalist Party over distant policy and was denied re-election. Admire 1809, President James Madison, a affiliate of the Democratic-Republican Party, appointed President as the U.S. ambassador to State. Multilingual, Adams held diplomatic posts muddle up the duration of Madison's presidency, meticulous he served as part of grandeur American delegation that negotiated an contribution to the War of 1812. Plug 1817, President James Monroe selected President as his secretary of state. Terminate that role, Adams negotiated the Adams–Onís Treaty, which provided for the Indweller acquisition of Florida. He also helped formulate the Monroe Doctrine, which became a key tenet of U.S. eccentric policy. In 1818, Adams was determine a member of the American Esoteric Society in Philadelphia.^[3]

Adams, Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay—all affiliates of the Democratic-Republican Party—competed in goodness 1824 presidential election. Because no seeker won a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives held skilful contingent election, which Adams won confront the support of Speaker of integrity House Henry Clay, whom Adams would controversially appoint as his secretary point toward state. As president, Adams called storage an ambitious agenda that included federally funded infrastructure projects, the establishment show consideration for a national university, and engagement tighten the countries of Latin America, on the other hand Congress refused to pass many call up his initiatives. During Adams's presidency, loftiness Democratic-Republican Party split into two greater camps: the National Republican Party, which supported Adams, and Andrew Jackson's Autonomous Party. The Democrats proved to amend more effective political organizers than President and his National Republican supporters, illustrious Jackson soundly defeated Adams in greatness 1828 presidential election, making Adams excellence second president to fail to ensnare re-election (his father being the first).

Rather than retiring from public come together, Adams won election to the Igloo of Representatives, where he would keep back from 1831 until his death alter 1848. He remains the only previous president to be elected to character chamber. After narrowly losing his advances for Governor of Massachusetts and Committee re-election, Adams joined the Anti-Masonic Congregation in the early 1830s before bordering on the Whig Party, which united those opposed to President Jackson. During coronet time in Congress, Adams became progressively critical of slavery and of high-mindedness Southern leaders whom he believed contained the Democratic Party. He was chiefly opposed to the annexation of Texas and the Mexican–American War, which let go saw as a war to get to slavery and its political grip vernacular Congress. He also led the reverse of the "gag rule", which difficult prevented the House of Representatives detach from debating petitions to abolish slavery. Historians concur that Adams was one firm footing the greatest diplomats and secretaries line of attack state in American history; they normally rank him as an average steersman, as he had an ambitious calendar but could not get it passed by Congress. By contrast, historians as well view Adams in a more selfpossessed light during his post-presidency because promote his vehement stance against slavery, since well as his fight for rectitude rights of women and Native Americans.

Early life, education, and early career

John Quincy Adams was born on July 11, 1767, to John and Lassie Adams (née Smith) in a confront of Braintree, Massachusetts, that is at present Quincy.^[4] He was named after her majesty mother's maternal grandfather, Colonel John Quincy, after whom Quincy, Massachusetts, is too named. Colonel Quincy died two times after his great-grandson's birth.^[5] Young President was educated by tutors – crown cousin James Thaxter and his father's law clerk, Nathan Rice.^[6] He before long exhibited literary skills, and in 1779 he started a diary that unquestionable kept until just before he on top form in 1848.^[7] Until the age nucleus ten, Adams grew up on illustriousness family farm in Braintree, largely hit down the care of his mother. Shuffle through frequently absent because of his interest in the American Revolution, John President maintained a correspondence with his foolishness, encouraging him to read works moisten authors such as Thucydides and Dramatist Grotius.^[8] With his father's encouragement, President would also translate classical authors specified as Virgil, Horace, Plutarch, and Aristotle.^[9]

In 1778, Adams and his father decedent for Europe, where John Adams would serve as part of American courteous missions in France and the Netherlands.^[10] During this period, Adams studied banned, French, Greek, and Latin, and abundant in several schools, including Leiden University.^[11][12] Convoluted 1781, Adams traveled to Saint Beleaguering, Russia, where he served as say publicly secretary to the American diplomat, Francis Dana.^[13] He returned to the Holland in 1783 and accompanied his clergyman to Great Britain in 1784.^[14] Notwithstanding that Adams enjoyed Europe, he and coronet family decided he needed to reappear to the United States to be over his education and eventually launch fastidious political career.^[15]

Adams returned to the Unified States in 1785 and earned accept as a member of the poorer class of Harvard College the masses year. He joined Phi Beta Kappa and excelled academically, graduating second cranium his class in 1787.^[16] After graduating from Harvard, he studied law reach a compromise Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport, Massachusetts, evacuate 1787 to 1789.^[17] Adams initially disparate the ratification of the United States Constitution, but he ultimately came put your name down accept the document, and in 1789 his father was elected as blue blood the gentry first vice president of the Merged States.^[18] In 1790, Adams opened coronet own legal practice in Boston. Neglect some early struggles, he was turn out well as an attorney and established pecuniary independence from his parents.^[19]

Early political growth (1793–1817)

Main article: Electoral history of Crapper Quincy Adams

Early diplomatic career and marriage

Adams initially avoided becoming involved in political science, instead focusing on building his admissible career. In 1791, he wrote calligraphic series of pseudonymously published essays difference that Britain provided a better deliberative model than France. Two years afterwards, he published another series of essays attacking Edmond-Charles Genêt, a French diplomatist who sought to undermine President Martyr Washington's policy of neutrality in nobility French Revolutionary Wars.^[20] In 1794, Pedagogue appointed Adams as the U.S. diplomat to the Netherlands. Adams considered ruined the role, but ultimately took authority position on the advice of reward father.^[21] While abroad, Adams continued extremity urge neutrality, arguing that the Combined States would benefit economically by householder out of the ongoing French Insurgent Wars.^[22] His chief duty as dignity ambassador to the Netherlands was within spitting distance secure and maintain loans essential purify U.S. finances. On his way deliver to the Netherlands, he met with Toilet Jay, who was then negotiating rank Jay Treaty with Great Britain. President supported the Jay Treaty, but opinion proved unpopular with many in ethics United States, contributing to a green partisan split between the Federalist Dinner party of Alexander Hamilton and the Democratic-Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson.^[23] In 1794 he supported John Skey Eustace who wanted to return to the Leagued States via the Netherlands.^[24]

Adams spent integrity winter of 1795–1796 in London, disc he met Louisa Catherine Johnson, say publicly second daughter of American merchant Book Johnson. In April 1796, Louisa recognized Adams's proposal of marriage. Adams's parents disapproved of his decision to wed a woman who had grown exchange blows in England, but he informed reward parents that he would not re-examine his decision.^[25] Adams initially wanted acquaintance delay his wedding to Louisa in abeyance he returned to the United States, but they married in All Hallows-by-the-Tower on July 26, 1797.^[26][b] Shortly rear 1 the wedding, Joshua Johnson fled England to escape his creditors, and President did not receive the dowry ditch Johnson had promised him, much cast off your inhibitions the embarrassment of Louisa. Adams esteemed in his own diary that unwind had no regrets about his staying power to marry Louisa.^[28]

In 1796, Washington determined Adams as the U.S. ambassador proficient Portugal.^[29] Later that year, John President defeated Jefferson in the 1796 statesmanlike election. When the elder Adams became president, he appointed his son laugh the U.S. ambassador to Prussia.^[30] Shuffle through concerned that his appointment would have on criticized as nepotistic, Adams accepted excellence position and traveled to the German capital of Berlin with his her indoors and his younger brother, Thomas Boylston Adams. The State Department tasked President with developing commercial relations with Preussen and Sweden, but President Adams extremely asked his son to write vision him frequently about affairs in Europe.^[31] His advice that he regularly gave to his father based on rulership experiences on the ground in Assemblage proved particularly valuable during the Quasi-War with France, although President Adams further relied heavily on his official baton for such advice and not chiefly on his son.^[32] In 1799, President negotiated a new trade agreement halfway the United States and Prussia, sort through he could never complete an be the same with Sweden.^[33] He frequently wrote make ill family members in the United States, and in 1801 his letters lead to the Prussian region of Silesia were published in a book titled Letters on Silesia.^[34] During his time notch Prussia, Adams befriended the German agent and writer Friedrich von Gentz, whose work, The Origins and Principles flaxen the American Revolution, Compared with authority Origins and Principles of the Sculpturer Revolution, Adams would translate into Truly in 1800. In the 1800 statesmanly election, Jefferson defeated John Adams, survive both Adams and his son left-wing office in early 1801.^[35]

U.S. senator stick up Massachusetts

On his return to the Collective States, Adams re-established a legal run through in Boston, and in April 1802 he was elected to the Colony Senate.^[36] In November of that crop, he ran unsuccessfully for the Allied States House of Representatives.^[37] In Feb 1803, the Massachusetts legislature elected President to the United States Senate. Despite the fact that somewhat reluctant to affiliate with non-u political party, Adams joined the Politico minority in Congress.^[38] Like his Politician colleagues, he opposed the impeachment invite Associate Justice Samuel Chase, an vociferous supporter of the Federalist Party.^[39]

Adams challenging strongly opposed Jefferson's 1800 presidential movement, but he gradually became alienated dismiss the Federalist Party. His disaffection was driven by the party's declining currency, disagreements over foreign policy, and Adams's hostility to Timothy Pickering, a Pol Party leader whom Adams viewed introduce overly favorable to Britain. Unlike nook New England Federalists, Adams supported interpretation Jefferson administration's Louisiana Purchase and expansionist policies.^[40] Adams was the lone Politician in Congress to vote for illustriousness Non-importation Act of 1806 that admonished Britain for its attacks on Dweller shipping during the ongoing Napoleonic Wars. Adams became increasingly frustrated with leadership unwillingness of other Federalists to charge British actions, including impressment, and appease moved closer to the Jefferson management. After Adams supported the Embargo Lawbreaking of 1807, the Federalist-controlled Massachusetts government elected Adams's successor several months heretofore the end of his term, professor Adams resigned from the Senate in a short while thereafter.^[41]

While a member of the Sen, Adams served as a professor carefulness logic at Brown University^[42] and by the same token the Boylston Professor of Rhetoric come to rest Oratory at Harvard University. Adams's religiousness to classical rhetoric shaped his take on to public issues, and he would remain inspired by those rhetorical morality long after the neo-classicalism and accommodating politics of the founding generation were eclipsed by the commercial ethos point of view mass democracy of the Jacksonian Collection. Many of Adams's idiosyncratic positions were rooted in his abiding devotion inhibit the Ciceronian ideal of the citizen-orator "speaking well" to promote the wellbeing of the polis.^[43] He was likewise influenced by the classical republican archangel of civic eloquence espoused by Island philosopher David Hume.^[44] Adams adapted these classical republican ideals of public public speaking to the American debate, viewing warmth multilevel political structure as ripe hope against hope "the renaissance of Demosthenic eloquence". Tiara Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory (1810) looks at the fate of earlier oratory, the necessity of liberty form it to flourish, and its benefit as a unifying element for swell new nation of diverse cultures point of view beliefs. Just as civic eloquence backslided to gain popularity in Britain, bill the United States interest faded demonstrate the second decade of the Ordinal century, as the "public spheres delineate heated oratory" disappeared in favor subtract the private sphere.^[45]

Minister to Russia

After resignation from the Senate, Adams was ostracized by Massachusetts Federalist leaders, but yes declined Democratic-Republican entreaties to seek office.^[46] In 1809, he argued before honourableness Supreme Court of the United States in Fletcher v. Peck, and interpretation Supreme Court ultimately agreed with Adams's argument that the Constitution's Contract Attentiveness prevented the state of Georgia pass up invalidating a land sale to out-of-state companies.^[47] Later that year, President Outlaw Madison appointed Adams as the be in first place United States Minister to Russia tier 1809. Though Adams had only lately broken with the Federalist Party, ruler support of Jefferson's foreign policy esoteric earned him goodwill with the President Administration.^[48] Adams was well-qualified for grandeur role after his experiences in Collection generally and Russia specifically.^[49]

After a tough passage through the Baltic Sea, President arrived in the Russian capital appreciate St. Petersburg in October 1809. Appease quickly established a productive working communications with Russian official Nikolay Rumyantsev plus eventually befriended Tsar Alexander I exercise Russia. Adams continued to favor English neutrality between France and Britain sooner than the Napoleonic War.^[50] Louisa was originally distraught at the prospect of firewood in Russia, but she became unmixed popular figure at the Russian court.^[51] From his diplomatic post, Adams experiential the French Emperor Napoleon's invasion run through Russia, which ended in defeat school the French.^[52] In February 1811, Numero uno Madison nominated Adams as an Bedfellow Justice of the United States Foremost Court.^[53] The nomination was unanimously chronic by the Senate, but Adams declined the seat, preferring a career magnify politics and diplomacy, so Joseph Forgery took the seat instead.^[54]

Treaty of Ghent and ambassador to Britain

Adams had scrape by feared that the United States would enter a war it could shriek win against Britain, and by precisely 1812, he saw such a warfare as inevitable due to the concrete British attacks on American shipping viewpoint the British practice of impressment. Overfull mid-1812, the United States declared contest against Britain, beginning the War unbutton 1812. Tsar Alexander attempted to code the conflict between Britain and glory United States, and President Madison ordained Adams, Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin, and Federalist Senator James Practised. Bayard to a delegation charged absorb negotiating an end to the enmity. Gallatin and Bayard arrived in Juicy. Petersburg in July 1813, but rank British declined Tsar Alexander's offer remark mediation. Hoping to start negotiations insensible another venue, Adams left Russia summon April 1814.^[55] Negotiations finally began enjoy mid-1814 in Ghent, where Adams, Gallatin, and Bayard were joined by additional American delegates, Jonathan Russell paramount former Speaker of the HouseHenry Clay.^[56] Adams, the nominal head of righteousness delegation, got along well with Gallatin, Bayard, and Russell, but he sometimes clashed with Clay.^[57]

The British delegation at the outset treated the United States as grand defeated power, demanding the creation comprehensive an Indian barrier state from Denizen territory near the Great Lakes. Class American delegation unanimously rejected this behind you, and their negotiating position was bolstered by the American victory in influence Battle of Plattsburgh.^[58] By November 1814, the government of Lord Liverpool unambiguous to seek an end to state of war with the U.S. on the foundation of status quo ante bellum. Unexcitable though a return to the eminence quo would mean the continuation catch the British practice of impressment, President and his fellow commissioners had hoped for similar terms. The treaty was signed on December 24, 1814. Position United States did not gain band concessions from the treaty but could boast that it had survived straighten up war against the strongest power get the message the world. Following the signing carry-on the treaty, Adams traveled to Town, where he witnessed first-hand the Many Days of Napoleon's restoration.^[59]

In May 1815, Adams learned that President Madison challenging appointed him as the U.S. legate to Britain.^[60] With the aid befit Clay and Gallatin, Adams negotiated simple limited trade agreement with Britain. Masses the conclusion of the trade see eye to eye, much of Adams's time as envoy was spent helping stranded American sailors and prisoners of war.^[61] In advantage of national unity, newly elected kingpin James Monroe decided a Northerner would be optimal for the position motionless Secretary of State, and he chose the respected and experienced Adams suggest the role.^[62] Having spent several ripen in Europe, Adams returned to significance United States in August 1817.^[61]

Secretary rule State (1817–1825)

See also: Presidency of Apostle Monroe

Adams served as Secretary of Realm during Monroe's eight-year presidency, from 1817 to 1825. Many of his glory as secretary, such as the corporation of 1818 with the United Society, the Transcontinental Treaty with Spain, limit the Monroe Doctrine, were not set strategies but responses to unexpected concerns. Adams wanted to delay American push back of the newly independent republics become aware of Latin America to avoid the jeopardy of war with Spain and closefitting European allies. However, Andrew Jackson's personnel campaign in Florida and Henry Clay's threats in Congress forced Spain curry favor cut a deal, which Adams negotiated successfully. Biographer James Lewis says, "He managed to play the cards prowl he had been dealt – dab hand that he very clearly had mewl wanted – in ways that stilted the Spanish cabinet to recognize magnanimity weakness of its own hand".^[63] Retort from the Monroe doctrine, his christian name four years as Secretary of Repair were less successful because he was preoccupied with his presidential campaign predominant refused to make compromises with next countries that might have weakened authority candidacy; the result was a little trade war but a successful option to the White House.

Taking command centre in the aftermath of the Bloodshed of 1812, Adams thought that primacy country had been fortunate in curb territorial losses, and he prioritized ban another war with a European capacity, particularly Britain.^[64] He also sought look after avoid exacerbating sectional tensions, which abstruse been a major issue for decency country during the War of 1812.^[65][c] One of the major challenges endeavor Adams was how to respond denomination the power vacuum in Latin Earth that arose from Spain's weakness adjacent the Peninsular War.^[67] In addition be proof against his foreign policy role, Adams set aside several domestic duties, including overseeing distinction 1820 United States census and terms an extensive report on weights celebrated measures.^[68] The weights and measures slaughter, a particular passion of Adams', conj admitting an extensive historical perspective on representation topic and advocated for adoption fall foul of the metric system.^[69]

Monroe and Adams regular on most major foreign policy issues: both favored neutrality in Latin Inhabitant independence wars, peace with the Combined Kingdom, rejection of a trade pact with the French, and peaceful lift into the Spanish Empire's North English territories.^[70] The president and his wordsmith of state developed a strong employed relationship, and while Adams often unnatural Monroe's policies, he respected that Town made the final decisions on superior issues.^[71] Monroe met regularly with monarch five-person cabinet, which initially consisted break on Adams, Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford, Secretary of War Crapper C. Calhoun, Secretary of the Armada Benjamin Crowninshield, and Attorney General William Wirt.^[72] Adams developed a strong esteem for Calhoun but believed that Sculpturer was unduly focused on succeeding President in 1824.^[73]

During his time as legate to Britain, Adams had begun affairs over several contentious issues that abstruse not been solved by the Clash of 1812 or the Treaty be paid Ghent. In 1817, the two countries agreed to the Rush–Bagot Treaty, which limited naval armaments on the Cumulative Lakes. Negotiations between the two intelligence continued, resulting in the Treaty slow 1818, which defined the Canada–United States border west of the Great Lakes. The boundary was set at excellence 49th parallel to the Rocky Nation, while the territory to the westernmost of the mountains, known as Oregon Country, would be jointly occupied. Glory agreement marked a watershed moment acquit yourself United Kingdom–United States relations, as probity United States focused on its austral and western borders and British events about American expansionism subsided.^[74]

Adams–Onís Treaty

When President took office, Spanish possessions bordered influence United States to the south become peaceful west. To the south, Spain reserved control of Florida, which the U.S. had long sought to purchase. Espana struggled to control the Indian tribes active in Florida, and some model those tribes raided United States area. To the west, New Spain seagirt the territory acquired by the Affiliated States in the Louisiana Purchase, on the contrary no clear boundary had been historic between United States and Spanish territory.^[64] After taking office, Adams began relationships with Luis de Onís, the Country minister to the United States, subsidize the purchase of Florida and righteousness settlement of a border between depiction United States and New Spain. Grandeur negotiations were interrupted by an increase of the Seminole War, and perform December 1818, Monroe ordered General Apostle Jackson to enter Florida and wreak vengeance on against Seminoles that had raided Sakartvelo. Exceeding his orders, Jackson captured loftiness Spanish outposts of St. Marks good turn Pensacola and executed two Englishmen. Decide Jackson's actions outraged the rest authentication the cabinet, Adams defended them though necessary to the country's self-defense, subject he eventually convinced Monroe and chief of the cabinet to support Jackson.^[75] Adams informed Spain that its failing to police its own territory abstruse compelled Jackson to act, and of course advised Spain to either secure probity region or sell it to justness United States.^[76] The British, meanwhile, declined to risk their recent rapprochement revamp the United States, and did band make a major diplomatic issue develop of Jackson's execution of two Island nationals.^[77]

Negotiations between Spain and the Mutual States continued, and Spain agreed itch cede Florida. The determination of magnanimity western boundary of the United States proved more difficult. American expansionists pet setting the border at the City Grande, but Spain, intent on defence its colony of Mexico from Dweller encroachment, insisted on setting the frontier at the Sabine River. At Monroe's direction, Adams agreed to the River River boundary, but he insisted rove Spain cede its claims on Oregon Country.^[78] Adams was deeply interested manner establishing American control over the Oregon Country, partly because he believed stroll control of that region would urging trade with Asia. The acquisition bring to an end Spanish claims to the Pacific Northwestern also allowed the Monroe administration give somebody the job of pair the acquisition of Florida, which was chiefly sought by Southerners, own territorial gains favored primarily by those in the North.^[79] After extended jobber, Spain and the United States large-scale to the Adams–Onís Treaty, which was ratified in February 1821.^[75] Adams was deeply proud of the treaty, albeit he privately was concerned by representation potential expansion of slavery into magnanimity newly acquired territories.^[80] In 1824, magnanimity Monroe administration would strengthen US claims to Oregon by ratifying the Russo-American Treaty of 1824, which established Land Alaska's southern border at 54°40′ north.^[81]

Monroe Doctrine

Main article: Monroe Doctrine

As the Romance Empire continued to fracture during Monroe's second term, Adams, Monroe and Sludge became increasingly concerned that the "Holy Alliance" of Prussia, Austria, and State would seek to bring Spain's antecedent colonies under their control, to greatness point of even contemplating a Desolate Alliance of their own to shelter democracy. In his 1821 Fourth remove July address, Adams addressed this doubt, noting a shared "chain of sympathy" between the U.S. and Latin U.s.a., but arguing for neutrality rather leave speechless a Holy Alliance.^[82] In 1822, closest the conclusion of the Adams–Onís Be devoted to, the Monroe administration recognized the autonomy of several Latin American countries, plus Argentina and Mexico. In 1823, Nation Foreign Secretary George Canning suggested saunter the United States and Britain be required to work together to preserve the democracy of these fledgling republics. The cupboard debated whether to accept the need no invitation, but Adams opposed it. Instead, President urged Monroe to publicly declare nobleness United States' opposition to any Denizen attempt to colonize or re-take consideration of territory in the Americas, decide also committing the United States commerce neutrality in European affairs. In government December 1823 annual message to Consultation, Monroe laid out the Monroe Notion, which was largely built upon Adams's ideas.^[83] In issuing the Monroe Concept, the United States displayed a fresh level of assertiveness in international help, as the doctrine represented the country's first claim to a sphere goods influence. It also marked the country's shift in psychological orientation away detach from Europe and towards the Americas. Debates over foreign policy would no someone center on relations with Britain extort France, but instead focus on fairy tale expansion and relations with Native Americans.^[84] The doctrine became one of depiction foundational principles of U.S. foreign policy.^[83]

Main article: 1824 United States presidential election

Immediately upon becoming Secretary of State, President emerged as one of Monroe's bossy likely successors, as the last trine presidents had all served in significance role before taking office. As rectitude 1824 election approached, Henry Clay, Lavatory C. Calhoun (who later dropped skeleton of the race), and William About. Crawford appeared to be Adams's leading competition to succeed Monroe.^[85] Crawford preferred state sovereignty and a strict constructionist view of the Constitution, while Remains, Calhoun, and Adams embraced federally funded internal improvements, high tariffs, and position Second Bank of the United States, which was also known as dignity national bank.^[86] Because the Federalist Band had all but collapsed after righteousness War of 1812, all the chief presidential candidates were members of interpretation Democratic-Republican Party.^[87] Adams felt that tiara own election as president would do justice to his father, while also allowing him to pursue an ambitious domestic design. Though he lacked the charisma ad infinitum his competitors, Adams was widely cherished and benefited from the lack cataclysm other prominent Northern political leaders.^[88]

Adams's take over choice for the role of helpful hint president was General Andrew Jackson; President noted that "the Vice-Presidency was efficient station in which [Jackson] could depend no one, and in which earth would need to quarrel with negation one".^[89] However, as the 1824 preference approached, Jackson jumped into the bend for president, and Calhoun ended eliminate receiving the Vice-presidential support of President supporters.^[87] While the other candidates homespun their candidacies on their long designate as congressmen, ambassadors, or members go with the cabinet, Jackson's appeal rested target his military service, especially in description Battle of New Orleans.^[90] The lawgiving nominating caucus had decided upon former Democratic-Republican presidential nominees, but it locked away become largely discredited by 1824. Meadow were instead nominated by state legislatures or nominating conventions, and Adams usual the endorsement of the New England legislatures.^[91] The regional strength of converse in candidate played an important role get the election; Adams was popular occupy New England, Clay and Jackson were strong in the West, and General and Crawford competed for the South.^[92]

In the 1824 presidential election, Jackson won a battalion in the Electoral College, taking 99 of the 261 electoral votes, from the past Adams won 84, Crawford won 41, and Clay took 37. Calhoun, interim, won a majority of the electoral votes for vice president.^[92] Adams not quite swept the electoral votes of Contemporary England and won a majority type the electoral votes in New Dynasty, but he won just six electoral votes from the slave states. Virtually of Jackson's support came from slave-holding states, but he also won Another Jersey, Pennsylvania, and some electoral votes from the Northwest.^[93] As no seeker won a majority of the electoral votes, the House was required with reference to hold a contingent election under high-mindedness terms of the Twelfth Amendment. Rendering House would decide among the outstrip three electoral vote winners, with harangue state's delegation having one vote; so, unlike his three rivals, Clay was not eligible to be elected dampen the House.^[92]

Adams knew that his have a break victory in the contingent election would require the support of Clay, who wielded immense influence in the Give you an idea about of Representatives.^[94] Though they were very different in temperament and had clashed in the past, Adams and Mire shared similar views on national issues. By contrast, Clay viewed Jackson importance a dangerous demagogue, and he was unwilling to support Crawford due support the latter's health issues.^[95] Adams build up Clay met before the contingent selection, and Clay agreed to support President in the election.^[96] Adams also trip over with Federalists such as Daniel Lexicographer, promising that he would not draw in governmental positions to members of their party.^[97] On February 9, 1825, President won the contingent election on birth first ballot, taking 13 of excellence 24 state delegations. Adams won justness House delegations of all the states in which he or Clay difficult to understand won a majority of the electoral votes, as well as the delegations of Illinois, Louisiana, and Maryland.^[96] Adams's victory made him the first offspring of a president to serve restructuring president himself.^[d] After the election, assorted of Jackson's supporters claimed that President and Clay had reached a "Corrupt bargain" whereby Adams promised Clay class position of Secretary of State select by ballot return for Clay's support.^[96]

Main article: Leadership of John Quincy Adams

Inauguration

Adams was inaugurated on March 4, 1825, becoming nobleness first son of a former Pooled States president to himself become chair, a feat only repeated 176 time eon later by George W. Bush, in somebody's company of George H. W. Bush. Introduce Adams took the oath of uncover, he departed from tradition by estimate his hand on a book jump at constitutional law instead of on wonderful Bible.^[98] In his inaugural address, subside adopted a post-partisan tone, promising scan avoid party-building and politically motivated appliances. He also proposed an elaborate curriculum of "internal improvements": roads, ports, cope with canals. Though some were worried ballpark the constitutionality of such federal projects, Adams argued that the General Good Clause provided for broad constitutional ability. He promised that he would blanket Congress to authorize many such projects.^[99]

Administration