Task: John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson would square off (along with 2 others) in the election of 1824. Read the biographies of each candidate below and then complete the following on a single piece of paper:
- Create a t-chart that details 5 key differences between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams in both politics and life.
- Write one sentence for each candidate (which means two sentences total) that sums up why they were qualified to be President.
- White a 5 word or less campaign slogan for both candidates.
Biography: John Quincy Adams
What is John Quincy Adams most known for?
John Quincy Adams was son of Founding Father and 2nd President of the United States John Adams. He was known as much for his government service before and after being president as when he was president.
Growing Up
Adams grew up during the time of the American Revolution. He even observed part of the Battle of Bunker Hill from a distance when he was a child. When his father became ambassador to France and later the Netherlands, John Quincy traveled with him. For the boy, it was an incredible introduction to the courts of Europe and the practice of diplomacy. For seven years, except for a few months back in Massachusetts, John Quincy lived in Paris, Amsterdam, and St. Petersburg. John learned much about European culture and languages from his travels, becoming fluent in both French and Dutch. Adams returned to the United States after the war and enrolled in Harvard University. He graduated in 1787 and became a lawyer in Boston.
Before He Became President
Due to his father's influence, Adams soon became involved in government service. He worked in some capacity with each of the first five presidents. In 1794, President George Washington appointed him minister to the Netherlands, where he served with distinction until 1797. He also met the woman he would marry, Louisa Catherine Johnson, the daughter of an American merchant living abroad. He worked as ambassador to Prussia under his father John Adams. For President James Madison he worked as ambassador to Russia and, later, the United Kingdom. In 1803, the legislature appointed him to the United States Senate (senators were not chosen by popular vote until 1913). As a senator, he supported Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase, one of only two Federalists to do so, and also endorsed other Democratic-Republican projects, including the Embargo Act of 1807. These actions led the Federalist-dominated Massachusetts legislature to decline to return him to the Senate, and Adams immediately resigned his post. He then switched his allegiance to the Democratic-Republican Party. Finally, under James Monroe he was Secretary of State.
Secretary of State
Adams is considered one of the great Secretaries of State in the history of the United States. He was able to gain the territory of Florida from Spain for $5 million. He also was the main author of the Monroe Doctrine. An important part of U.S. policy that stated the U.S. would defend countries in North and South America from being attacked by European powers. He also helped to negotiate the joint occupation of the Oregon country with Great Britain. Secretary of State is often considered a springboard to the Presidency, so he chose to run for office in 1824 as one of four Democratic-Republican candidates.
Biography: Andrew Jackson
What is Andrew Jackson most known for?
Andrew Jackson is most famous for being considered the first "common man" to become president. He also made changes to the way the presidency was run. Prior to becoming president he was known as a war hero from the War of 1812.
Growing Up
Andrew's life started out difficult. His parents were poor emigrants from Ireland and his father died just a few weeks before Andrew was born in a backwoods settlement in the Carolinas in 1767. Despite not having much of a formal education, Andrew was smart and learned to read at a young age.
When Andrew turned ten, the Revolutionary War had begun. His two older brothers both joined the army and Andrew became a messenger for the local militia when he turned 13. Both of his older brothers died in the war. Andrew survived, but had some harrowing experiences including being captured by British soldiers and receiving a scar across his face from the sword of a British officer.
Before He Became President
After the Revolutionary War, Jackson became a lawyer and moved to Tennessee to practice law. Jackson was successful enough to buy slaves and to build a mansion, the Hermitage, near Nashville. In 1791, he began living with Rachel Donelson Robards, whose husband had abandoned her. They were formally married after her divorce in 1794. Charges of adultery dogged Jackson's later political career. Fiercely jealous of his honor, he engaged in brawls, and in a duel killed a man who he felt had said dishonorable words about his wife. In 1796 Jackson became Tennessee's first member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He would also serve as Senator for Tennessee.
The War of 1812
It was during the War of 1812 that Jackson gained national fame, which would later help him to become president. Jackson was appointed leader and General of the Tennessee militia. He led them to several victories. When the British were expected to attack New Orleans, Jackson was put in charge. In the Battle of Orleans he claimed the one major victory over the British in the war. With 5,000 men he soundly defeated 7.500 British soldiers. The British had over 2,000 casualties while Jackson's army only suffered around 70. During the Battle of Orleans, the U.S. soldiers said Jackson was as tough as "old hickory". This became his nickname.
Jackson's triumph at New Orleans quickly became the stuff of legend and made him America's greatest military hero since George Washington. In 1818, he led an army in pursuit of Seminole Indians into Spanish Florida, touching off an international crisis. After Spain sold Florida, to the US (which was negotiated by John Quincy Adams) Jackson served briefly as territorial governor and then as a senator, representing Tennessee, from 1823 to 1825. He chose to run for office in 1824 as one of four Democratic-Republican candidates