John Q. Adams Administration - Introduction

Introduction

Eldest son of John Adams, the second president of the United States, John Quincy Adams was a child of the American Revolution (1775–83). As a diplomat under presidents George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison, John Quincy Adams developed a foreign policy founded on the principle of independence from foreign nations. As secretary of state under James Monroe, Adams formulated this policy into the Monroe Doctrine, declaring that the United States would not tolerate European interference in the affairs of the American continents. After an unsuccessful presidency, Adams ended his illustrious career with 18 years in the House of Representatives, where he successfully opposed "gag" rules that prevented antislavery petitions from being read on the floor of the House.