Bush of the 19th Century

Part 6 of My Presidential Review Series

Starting earlier than usual, it is time for John Quincy Adams. Adams was technically elected under no party, because the destruction of the Federalists also meant the dismantling of the Democrat-Republicans. However, his election marked the rebirth of the two-party system, as charges that he and Henry Clay struck a corrupt bargain to win the presidency coalesced around Andrew Jackson and formed the Democratic party. He was the only president to be elected without a majority of the electoral vote, and the first son of a president to become president. He was denied reelection by Andrew Jackson. Quincy Adams served March 4, 1825 to March 3, 1829.

Q. Adams was the first president to both completely endorse internal improvements and not question their constituitonality. He believed that the first objective of the federal government was to improve the nation. He proposed construction of a network of roads and canals, a national university, and an astronomical observatory. The plan, however, was too ambitious for Congess, and only extension of the Cumberland Road to Ohio and construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was passed. At the canal's groundbreaking ceremony, Q. Adams turned over the first shovelful of earth.

Q. Adams supported U.S. involvement in the Panama Congress, which convened to foster Pan-American cooperation. Southerners, who feared that it would be used to discuss anti-slavery sentiment, teamed up with Q. Adams' enemies to delay confirmation of the U.S. delegates long enough to make it impossible for them to get there in time.

Q. Adams supported a high tariff on manufactured goods to protect domestic industry, which was centered in New England. It is commonly believed that his enemies attached a high tariff on raw materials, which was important to industry. They hoped it would make the tariff unacceptable to both the North and South, but New England supported it without reservation. The Tariff of 1828, or the Tariff of Abominations, became law. Although its steep rates were rolled back, it upset the South so much it created the nullification crisis in South Carolina during Jackson's presidency.

John Quincy Adams did little during his presidency. Although the tariff on raw materials was not his idea, the Tariff of Abominations was still an awful idea on paper and in practice. I will give him credit, though, for supporting internal inprovements so steadfastly, and for attempting to take part in the Panama Congress. I can't say I've ever really liked him though, due to my vehement support of Andrew Jackson.

Overall Ranking: 32

"Individual liberty is individual power, and as a power of the community is a mass compounded of individual powers, the nation which enjoys the most freedom must necessarily be in proportion to its numbers the most powerful nation."

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