John Quincy Adams

Birth-Death: (1767 - 1848 ) Term: (1825-1829 )

Most of the actions of John Quincy Adams were blocked in Congress due to the influence of Andrew Jackson and his appeal after the "corrupt bargain." Adams, however, was able to pass protective tariffs with higher rates.

Domestic Events of John Q. Adams

    The Election of 1824 featured four candidates, one from each side of the country, and was a precursor of things to come. Since none of the candidates received a majority of the electoral vote (Adams, Clay, Crawford, Calhoon) the election was thrown into the House of Representatives. On the first ballot, Clay gave his support for Adams, and Adams won the presidency. Some of the candidates, including Jackson were outraged and proceeded to block all of the bills recommended by Adams.

    In 1828 a tariff was proposed by the New Englanders. This new protective tariff would raise rates even higher. The South first decided to outsmart the opposition, and to include higher protective rates not only for the goods but also for raw materials. Since this would leave the manufacturers with little profit, they would vote against it and combined with the South vote the bill would be defeated. The plan did not work, and the Tariff of Abominations passed by a 105:94 margin in the House and a 26:21 margin in the Senate.

    As a result, flags were flown at half-mast in the Carolinas. The leader of the South, and the vice-president of the United States, John C. Calhoun wrote Exposition and Protest in which he claimed that Nullification was constitutional and tariffs weren't. At the end of Adams' Presidency the fissure between the South and North was growing at a very fast pace.