PERIODIC PRESIDENTS on BOBBLEHEAD GEORGE

John Quincy Adams - with Periodic Presidents 

John Quincy Adams was well positioned to be president of the United States.  The son of a former president…John Quincy’s education, intelligence, experience, and sense of history made him more than highly qualified to be our chief executive.   John Quincy Adams served as a U.S. minister to various European nations, as a member of the U.S. Senate, led the negotiations that drew up the Treaty of Ghent (ending the War of 1812), and was Secretary of State for James Monroe…All this before winning the election of 1824 and becoming our 6th president.

The election of 1824 was unique in American history.  The Federalist Party, on a national level, was no longer a serious contender.  The election pitted multiple candidates, of the same political party, against each other…bringing sectional rivalries to the forefront and essentially ending the “Era of Good Feelings.”  It was also the first election in American history, in which the popular vote was counted.  When all was said and done, Andrew Jackson won the most popular votes AND the most Electoral votes…but not the majority needed to win the Presidency…throwing the outcome of the election to the House of Representatives.  Due to the backing of Henry Clay (who was then nominated to be Secretary of State) John Quincy Adams won the election of 1824…making him the only president, to date, who lost both the electoral and popular vote.

John Quincy had a miserable presidency with very few accomplishments. His stubborn personality, coupled with an obstructionist congress, made governing virtually impossible.  Like his father before him, John Quincy Adams lost his re-election bid to his rival, Andrew Jackson, in 1828.  Not one to sit around and be idle, John Quincy, was elected to the United States House of Representatives.  During his time in the House, John Quincy Adams worked tirelessly to end slavery in the United States and, for 18 years, passionately  served and represented his constituents until his death in 1848.  Including his congressional career, John Quincy Adams served in public office during the administrations of the first 11 presidents.  It’s for these reasons that we all can honestly say…We love JQA.