Major Contributions of John Quincy Adams

M. Shoshany 20y
John Quincy Adams December 11, 2007

Major Contributions of John Quincy Adams


John Quincy Adams’s vast accomplishments ranged from 1794, when he was appointed Minister to the Netherlands, all the way to 1848, when he died still fighting against slavery in the House of Representatives. The most significant achievement in his lifetime to the United States was being elected the sixth President. He had many important influences on his peers and people who he worked with.

Quincy Adams was appointed Minister to the Netherlands in 1794, then two years later, to Portugal. Afterwards he was selected to Minister of Russia where, beginning in 1809, he developed a diplomatic relationship with Czar Alexander I of Russia. This demonstrates that
Adams had the ability to bring peace between two nations. One of many quotes that emphasized peace and wanting everything to be in order by John Quincy Adams was, “may our country always be successful, but whether successful or otherwise, always right,” (Said in 1816). Even early in his career, John Quincy Adams played a big role in the community.
During the years 1817- 1825, John Quincy Adams negotiated a treaty with Spain called the Adams-Onis Treaty that helped acquire Florida as part of the United States. Before that time, Florida was a Spanish colony. Quincy Adams was Secretary of State under President Monroe and was considered one of the best secretaries of state at that same time. In 1823, Adams was an important help to developing the Monroe Doctrine.

John Quincy Adams’s political career took off in 1824 when he ran for president against Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and William H. Crawford. Quincy Adams won the Presidency. From 1825-1829, during Adams’s presidency, he developed a system of roads, canals, bridges and even the B&O railroad to increase trade between cities. This was organized by the government. After his four year term as president it was expected that he would retire; but instead he was elected to the House of Representatives at age 63. John Quincy Adams served from 1831 until his death in 1848 when he suffered a stroke on the floor in the House of Representatives. One of Adams' major successes was in 1844 when he was able to help fight against and eliminate slavery.

John Quincy Adams was an influential figure and was very important to the development of the early United State. His roles played were astonishing, and his idea to construct roadways, canals, bridges and railroad helped to grow the economy. For these among other reasons, John Quincy Adams made significant contributions to the history of the United States!