John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States and he was the first son of a former President to also serve in the top office. Elected in 1824, here are some interesting facts about the man who to this day was married to America’s only foreign-born first lady.
1. He Was the Ultimate Diplomat
Adams was the minister [what we would call an ambassador today] named to go to England after the War of 1812. He would actually serve as a minister to many different areas of Europe throughout his career. He witnessed Napoleon’s efforts to invade Russia and was named a minister to the Netherlands by George Washington. Adams also served in Congress for 6 years, but his international form of diplomacy was not as well received at home.
2. He Created the Border
In 1817, Adams was encouraged to bring his international style of diplomacy back home to work with America’s neighbors to the North. This allowed him to formally negotiate the Canada/US border, which still stands to this day. Part of his job was also to negotiate fishing rights with the Canadians. He was also leading the negotiating team to get Florida granted to the US. The famous Monroe Doctrine was also influenced by him.
3. He Didn’t Win a Majority
Adams actually became President without a majority of the popular vote. He actually lost the popular vote, but because there wasn’t the needed electoral majority from the election, the Presidency was thrown into Congress so it could be decided. That’s why the Adams Presidency was often called the “Corrupt Bargain.” Adams reportedly got the Presidency because of a promise to give a cabinet office to the man who would cast the deciding vote.
4. He Served in Congress Twice
John Quincy Adams is still the only President who would serve in Congress after he served as President. Adams was elected to represent his home district in the House of Representatives after losing the 1828 Presidential election, where he served for another 17 years before collapsing on the floor of the House. He died in the Speaker’s private chambers just 48 hours later.
5. He Won the Amistad Case
Although Adams was known as the “Do Nothing” President because of his inability to achieve a majority and virtually nothing got done, his influence was never in question. That was never more evident in the Amistad case when 49 Africans seized a Spanish ship off of Cuba. Because of Adams, it was decided not to extradite the group, despite Spanish demands to return them all to Cuba for a trial.
John Quincy Adams spent his life as a public servant. Although his name doesn’t always come up in conversation today, his influence helped to create a stable nation that was able to prove it belonged on the world’s stage. For that work, he will always be remembered.
