Investigating John Quincy Adam's Foreign Policy Record

Written by Will Wigginton

John Quincy Adams Served as Secretary of State under James Monroe and as President from 1825-1829.

Personal Characteristics:

A Jack of All Trades: John Quincy Adams (JQA) was a man of many talents. “At a young age, John Quincy Adams had already traveled to France, England, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, and Prussia, and at the age of fourteen moved to Russia as a part of a diplomatic mission to the court of Catherine the Great.” Moreover, “he was appointed as Minister to the Netherlands, then promoted to the Berlin Legation. In 1802 he was elected to the United States Senate. Six years later, President Madison appointed him Minister to Russia.”

Ambition to Learn and Succeed: Despite traveling early and often and receiving less formal schooling than normal, JQA wanted more than the grandiose life he was living gave him. To better himself, he became increasingly studious, with his letters and journal entries becoming increasingly sophisticated and aware, observing people, places, architecture, etc., all in an attempt to hone in his skills.

The International Context:

Latin American Revolutions: These revolutions played a part in the eventual Monroe Doctrine, a policy in which JQA had a large impact. These revolutions resulted in Mexico and Colombia gaining their independence.

Democratic Rumblings: Around the time of the Latin American Revolutions, there were also democratic rumblings for various reasons in Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain, all of which were suppressed.

The Concert of Europe: Following several democratic revolutions and the era of Napoleonic expansion, this event was an attempt to gather monarchical leaders to bring a return to form in Europe, squashing any and all democratic revolutions that may threaten their despotism.

Key Foreign Policies:

Spain Policy: The issue of the Florida territory was one of great interest of America when Adams served as Secretary of State. He was of the opinion that Spain either put a force in Florida to solidify its claim to the area, or effectively cede it to the United States.

Non-Intervention: Along with President Monroe, Adams had a desire to keep European powers out of Latin America, which would eventually fall into the Monroe Doctrine to prevent further European intervention in the Western Hemisphere.

Positive Achievements:

Treaty of Ghent: While not an outright positive for the manifest destiny sentiment of the time, the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812, turned out positively for the Americans, all things considered. This Treaty was negotiated by Adams in December of 1814, in which U.S. sovereignty was maintained and peace was finalized.

The Transcontinental Treaty: This Treaty, which ceded the Florida territory to the United States, was largely dealt with by JQA. This acquisition of land falls in line with others such as the Louisiana Purchase, which both furthered the desire of manifest destiny. The diplomatic skills by Adams, especially by using the leverage of invasion by General Andrew Jackson, allowed for him to skillfully complete the Treaty within the interests of the country.

The Monroe Doctrine: While not his policy, specifically, John Quincy Adams played a large role in the creation of the Doctrine. This is partially shown in the form of the joint statement with Britain, which JQA opposed, preferring unilateral action. “Secretary of State Adams from commercial Massachusetts was responsible for the non-colonization principle, for emphasizing nonintervention in Europe, and for making it a unilateral policy rather than a joint statement with Britain.”

Pacific Northwest Issue: While not an outright accomplishment of Adams, he did effectively stave off the pacific northwest dispute by declining an arbitration offer by Great Britain. Who knows what would have happened if JQA did allow for this dispute to be arbitrated, but it may have made them less well-off than the deal finished by James K. Polk.

Master Diplomat: The aforementioned positive achievements help to highlight the viability of John Quincy Adams as a diplomat. Furthermore, this ability began early in his life. For example: when his father was President, he sent JQA to Russia along with his Secretary of State, Francis Dana, to help with diplomatic relations. The reason JQA was utilized was for his fluency in French, which was the language used by Catherine the Great and her court. This usage at such a young age, which would not slow down as he grew older, shows in a vacuum how great a career JQA had. A small achievement in the overall scope of his life, but a notable stepping stone for the future.

Negative Drawbacks:

Failure to Resolve the Canada-Maine Dispute: While not a major drawback, especially since the issue would be resolved after his presidency, the failure to find a solution to this dispute, along with relying on the King of the Netherlands to draw up new boundaries after a haywire arbitration, is a stain on Adams’ career. This event can serve as a look into the difference in success between Adams as a diplomat/Secretary of State, compared to his time as President.

Unremarkable Presidency: In terms of foreign relations, Adams’ time as President was much quieter than one would have thought coming in. This does not necessarily have to be a drawback, but does show the extent of Adams’ usefulness in foreign relations. He was more than qualified to be a player in the field of international relations, a major player, but not the player in the sense of leading an entire country against others.

Final Grade: A+/ Even with the negative drawbacks, the achievements of John Quincy Adams prior to his presidency is enough to give him an A+. There is a reason he was revered by so many as a diplomat, whether that be through contemporaries or how history has remembered him. His ability to navigate through treaty-making processes, serve as a translator, be a useful academic, serve as a versatile Secretary of State, earns him the grade of an A+.

References:

Charles N. Edel, “The Fires of Honorable Ambition: The Education of John Quincy Adams,” Nation Builder: John Quincy Adams and the Grand Strategy of the Republic (Cambridge, MA, London, England, 2014)
Nicholas Cords and Patrick Gerster, “Myths Surrounding the Monroe Doctrine,” Myth and the American Experience, vol. 1, 3rd ed. (HarperCollins Publishers)
Robert H. Ferrell, “Era of Good Feelings,” Foundations of American Diplomacy, 1775-1872 (Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press).
“John Quincy Adams.” The White House. The United States Government, December 23, 2022. https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-quincy-adams/.