John Quincy Adams facts for kids
John Quincy Adams Facts For Kids - social studies skills studied in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grades.
The 6th President of the USA
The sixth President of the United States of America was John Quincy Adams. His father was John Adams, who was the second President of the USA. He was a career diplomat, US 
Senator and Secretary of State before becoming the 6th President of the USA.
Early Life
John Quincy Adams was born on 11th July 1767 in Braintree, Massachusetts. His father was John Adams and his mother’s name was Abigail Adams. He was the eldest son in the family.
He started his political career as a child. When he was only 10 years old, he accompanied his father to France to secure aid with the American Revolutionary of war. He matriculated from the Leiden University in the year 1781. In the same year, John Quincy Adams escorted Francis Dana, who was the American Diplomat to Russia. He was his assistant as well as his interpreter. This is because, at the age of 14, he knew several languages like French, Russian, English, Latin and German. In 1783, he traveled to France with his father as a secretary. The purpose of the visit was to negotiate the Treaty of Paris.
In the year 1785, John Quincy Adams returned home and joined Harvard College. He graduated in the year 1787. In 1790, he started practicing as an attorney in his hometown Boston. Continue reading below >>>
Political Career
In 1794, USA’s first President, George Washington appointed John Quincy Adams as the U.S. minister to the Netherlands. On the way, he met his future wife Louisa Catherine Johnson. She was the daughter of 1st U.S. consul to Britain, Joshua Johnson.
John Quincy Adams developed expertise in foreign policy in a number of ministerial positions. He was the Minister to Portugal, Prussia, Russia and England. He actually served in U.S. Senate as well. He became the Secretary of State under the administration of President James Monroe. He served the country from 1817 to 1825 as the Secretary of State. During this period, Adams was successful in negotiating the purchase of Florida from Spain.
Monroe Doctrine of 1823 was a diplomatic decision of the USA against European colonialism. It was crafted by Adams during President Monroe’s rule. According to this doctrine, the United States is going to resist any intervention by the European powers in the western hemisphere. This doctrine is considered as the most notable achievement of Adams.
In the year 1824, neither Andrew Jackson nor John Quincy Adams won the majority of the electoral votes. The issue was decided by the House of Representatives; he was elected on the 1st ballot.
Adams was way too independent and stubborn in his political decisions. As a result, he failed to develop a healthy political relationship in the country to bring about remarkable changes. He had proposed several promising programs for U.S. – building canals and highways to link different parts of the country, constructing astronomical observatories, conservation of public lands etc. But these reforms were seen unrealistic in the 1820s.
He lost his second term of the Presidential election to Andrew Jackson. However, he did not retire from politics entirely.
Final Years
John Quincy Adams won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1830. Since then until his death, he was an active voice for change and abolishing causes such as slavery.