In U.S. history, there are an abundance of famous figures that shape the world we live in today. John Quincy Adams played a key role in the way our world operates. Adams’ early life, political career, and his legacy, has shaped and modernized the United States today.
John Quincy Adam’s early life consisted of many lessons. As a child, he grew up with both parents; however his mother was the main figure in his family. She provided him with many teachings such as mathematics, languages, and the classics. However, his father was absent more than he was present, which made Adams a responsible young man. When Adams was 10 years old, he had witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill with his mother near one of the Braintree Hills. Though the Revolutionary
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War was not distant, it was a frightening reality for the young boy. By age 14, he was in school and training for the diplomatic corps. His life as a young boy was serving with his father and contributing to many other political ideologies. This has assisted him greatly in his political career. In 1781, he accompanied Francis Dana, a well known diplomat, to Russia, to serve as a secretary and translator. Two years later, Adams became a secretary to his father and also negotiated the Treaty of Paris. While he was in Europe, he became fluent in three languages, French, German, and Dutch. Another two years later, he came back to the United States and began attending Harvard University. Three years later, after graduating in 1787, he became an attorney in Boston, Massachusetts. Once his career began to take off, he helped George Washington during the his neutrality policy of 1793. He was then appointed to the U.S. minister to Holland. Once his father, John Adams, was appointed as the second president of the United States, Quincy became the U.S. minister to Prussia. Adams was then elected to the Massachusetts legislature and then to U.S. Senate. Adams continued to gain crucial experience in the world of government from his father, to his own self involvement. He had valuable experiences throughout his time working with numerous diplomats, presidents, and careers that enabled him to become the person he was by 1825, the sixth president of the United States. Although he only ran for one presidential term, his political career didn’t end there. He ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives and won. John Quincy Adams left behind a legacy that is still in effect today. After his presidential term ended, he left behind a legacy.
Adams’s shaped American foreign policy due to his ardent nationalist views. He played a key role in the negotiation of treaties. For example, the Treaty of Ghent, ended the War of 1812. It also, “promoted a new “American system” a package of protective tariffs to encourage manufacturing and federal expenditures for internal improvements such as roads and canals” (Roark 267). Another example is the Florida Treaty. This treaty’s objective was for Spain to surrender Florida to the U.S., similar to the Louisiana Purchase. This also made the Americans agree to abandon any claim to Texas or Cuba. However, before his presidency began, he was involved with the previous president. The fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, created the Monroe Doctrine. This was a declaration of principles to “discourage Spain and other European countries from reconquering these colonies” (Roark 267). Adams contributed to the negotiation and formations of treaties that shaped the United States foreign policy. John Quincy Adams truly was a legacy itself.
John Quincy Adams was one of the most influential figures in United States history. He has exemplified strong character during his years before, during, and after the presidency. Throughout the course of his life, he has improved his country's strength, power, and
unity.
John Adams virtually eradicated his chances of easily winning the election of 1800 by defying the hardcore patriotic attitude of many Americans. Through his continued acts, regardless if they were what was best for the country at that particular time or is he believed morally that it was the correct decision, such as approving the Alien and Sedition Acts and helping the British soldiers that were involved in the Boston Massacre, he left no room for himself to take an easy path to the presidency much less any path to the presidency.
How is it possible that a single person's actions could change how the world is shaped today? General Henry Knox was one unknown hero of the Revolutionary War who came as an individual and influenced an entire group of people. Henry Knox was the first Secretary of War under the command of President George Washington, one of the few known American Revolutionary War heroes. According to Jack Kelly, author of “Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America’s Independence,” “Knox was really responsible for the patriots’ first victory when they forced the British out of Boston.” He even served as the first trusted secretary of war and advisor to President Washington for the new United States.
Adams was a Federalist which meant he was upper class and wanted a strong central government and this showed when he led his country. He had to keep the nation stable amidst the French’s dislike for him that lead to the X, Y, Z Affair. The X, Y, Z Affair with France led to a three year long Quazi War that Adams had to keep the government stabile during. This led to him passing the Alien and Sedition Acts which were highly controversial and went against the first amendment. This was the first act of Adam’s presidency that went against the stability of the US government.
George Washington contributed in helping establish a stable government after the adoption of the Constitution. Washington negotiated treaties to help stabilize the United States government. The first treaty was the Jay Treaty with Great Britain. This treaty was to address any loose ends that America had with its mother country including unfair trade policies, presence of British troops, and impressment of American sailors. Impressment was when the British would kidnap American sailors and force the sailors to work in their military under brutal conditions. Through the treaty, the U.S. realized on an international level how weak America appeared, as well as not have much negotiating power with Great Britain in the treaty. People disliked how the United States gave into Britain’s negotiations. Although the Jay Treaty did not do much for America, the Pinckney Treaty did. This treaty was negotiated with Spain, who controlled New Orleans at the time, and allowed the Unites States to use the New Orleans port to trade. This was considered a very successful accomplishment, as farmers in the Northwest Territory could now ship their goods down by the Mississippi River to trade. Washington also helped to
John Adams began his career as a lawyer, and he first rose to prominence as an opponent of the Stamp Act of 1765 which deprived the American colonists of two basic rights guaranteed to all Englishmen, and which all free men deserved: rights to be taxed on only by consent and to be tried only by a jury of one?s peers. Then, he successfully defended the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre (1770) with only two of the eight found guilty of manslaughter believing that it was important to ensure that innocents were protected. From 1770 ? 1774, Adams served in the Massachusetts legislature and was then elected a member of the Continental Congress. He nominated Washington to be Commander-in-Chief and was part of the committee that worked to draft the Declaration of Independence.
The United States of America have had their good and bad presidents throughout the course of our history. Of the seven-founding father of the United States John Adams whose presidency started in the year 1796, and became second president of the U.S. Adams main objective was to avoid war with France. Through the event known as the XYZ affair John Adams didn’t long to go to war with France in order to gain their respect. Under Adam’s administration he passed the Aileen and Sedition acts of 1798, which outlawed defiant speech. In addition, he maintained George Washington’s original cabinet. Adams was a supporter of equality, as well as justice but had difficulties following through with his beliefs during his presidency.
Born in January of 1737, John Hancock grew up to become a prominent founding father and important Patriot in American history. Filling many roles throughout his life, John Hancock shaped the course of the Revolution by standing out against the British rule. Originally a merchant and statesmen, Hancock became the president of the Second Continental Congress and helped convince all thirteen colonies to unite for their independence (History). Hancock stood for freedom in a time in which many leaders still hesitated to declare independence, and his influence convinced many colonists to unite against tyranny and still inspires many people today. To play such a significant role in the history of America, however, Hancock grew from experiences long
President John QuincyAdams served as the sixth President of the United States in 1824. John Quincy Adams was the son of former President John Adams. John Quincy Adams spent much of his youth accompanying his father overseas and also accompanied him in diplomatic missions. Benefitting from his fathers Presidential experience, John Q. Adams was able to gather, formulate, and practice the fundamentals of foreign policy. Through his presidential term he was able to negotiate European politics where freedom of the seas and freedom of commerce were slowly granted for the United States. I rate President John Quincy Adams average on his term of presidency. He had good intention, but the era was struggling financially. “It was also important to note
James Monroe will always be best known by his Doctrine, but what most people don’t know is that most of the Monroe Doctrine was written by the Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams. Also that Adams was the one who told him to do it. The Monroe Doctrine was originally a letter to congress in 1823. The document stated that it was the end of colonizing the Americas.
The book, John Adams, by David McCullough, is a powerfully written biography of one of our nation’s greatest heroes. This biography explores Adams’ life in great depth, unveiling a side to his life unbeknownst to those who have never studied his life in great detail. Through diary entries, letters, and various other documents, the reader grasps a sense of what Adams’ day to day life was like, and is also able to grasp the enormity of his lifetime accomplishments.
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, can be listed among the United States’. the greatest leaders of the world. He had many different personal skills which in turn helped him to become one of the presidents of our nation. Some of these skills include being a lawyer, judge, politician, war hero, and most importantly, a great leader. Andrew Jackson can be listed among the great men that formed this country to what it is today.
Of the many figures in American History, Alexander Hamilton has proven himself one of the most versatile and influential. His policies and ideals have helped the United States blossom into a prosperous world power. Through his power as secretary of Treasury and his convincing intellectual efforts, he was able to dominate the nations early political environment. Hamilton’s patriotic endeavors have proven themselves to be durable and in the best interests of the United States.
A big issue Monroe tried to act on was British impressments, which is the practice of capturing U.S. sailors and making them serve in the British navy. This caused a slight rift between President Jefferson, Secretary of State Madison, and Monroe, after the two didn’t see the means of signing a treaty that Monroe thought would make the relationship between the two countries better. Monroe finally came to an understanding, repairing the broken bond between the three friends (Minister to France and Britain). This would pay off when newly appointed President James Madison would give the position of Secretary of State to James Monroe (Secretary of State and Secretary of War).
Andrew Jackson is one of the most controversial presidents. Many regard him as a war hero, the father of the Democratic Party, an inspiring leader, and a spokesman for the common man. While there is plenty to praise about the seventh president, his legacy is tarnished by his racism, disregard for the law of the land, cruelty towards the Native Americans, and ruthless temper. Jackson was an intriguing man who was multi-faceted. One must not look at a singular dimension, and cast judgment on him as a whole. To accurately evaluate one of the most complex presidents, it is crucial to observe Jackson from all possible angles. Prior lifestyle, hardships in life, political ideology, lifestyle of the time, political developments, and his character
Alexander Hamilton was a political scientist ,government official, economist, and lawyer, from 1755-1804. Alexander Hamilton once said, “May God give you wisdom to see what is your true interest, and inspire you with becoming zeal for the cause of virtue and mankind.”(Alexander Hamilton) Alexander Hamilton was a strong-willed individual, because he overcame so many instances of adversity. Alexander Hamilton was born into a poor family that did not have many chances, but he did become a well-educated man, that played a large role in what the United States of America is today and he was able to overcome his poor childhood. Hamilton participated in the Revolutionary War, the writing of the U.S. Constitution, electing the first president, solving an America debt crisis, and a numerous amount of other things that shaped the future of a young nation. Alexander Hamilton 's story is inspiring to American 's today, and because of Hamilton’s experiences with being a military aid, it was a benefit to him later in his life, and America, he played a significant role in amending the Articles of Confederation, and he also was the most influential Secretary of Treasury. Hamilton was the most influential Secretary of Treasury because, he helped in the founding of the