1. J.Q. Adams to John Tyler
Presidents II

2. 6th President of the United States
John Q. Adams of Braintree, Massachusetts
Diplomat, Senator, U.S. Secretary of State
Extremely intelligent and well- read
Son of 2nd President John Adams
1st President who was not a “Founding Father”

3. Adams as President ( )
Only President to date that has been chosen by the House of Representatives under the Twelfth Amendment
Presidency severely damaged by the “Corrupt Bargain”
Congress, led by Henry Clay, selected Adams, rather than leading vote-getter Andrew Jackson, as President in 1824
In return, Adams appoints Clay as Secretary of State
Jackson and his supporters work against Adams while he is President
Favored a series of internal improvements such as roads and canals
Only President who actively served in government under George Washington and also worked with Abraham Lincoln (both were Congressmen)

4. What he accomplished… Significantly paid down the National Debt
Worked to make the United States a world power
Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations)
Taxes on foreign goods intended to protect northern industry
Caused a significant downturn in the southern economy
Attacked by Jackson and his followers
Only President to serve in Congress after serving as President

5. 7th President of the United States
Andrew Jackson of Nashville, Tennessee
War Hero (General during the War of 1812), Senator, Congressman, Military Governor
First President from the west
Founder of the Democratic Party

6. Jackson as President (1829-1837)
Rowdy Frontier-style politician
Appointed people to his cabinet that he could control rather than party loyalists
Campaigned against Native Americans, both as a soldier and as President
Early administration marred by the “Petticoat Affair”
The wife of Secretary of War John Eaton was continually attacked, and both Eatons were outcast, because of rumor that Mrs. Eaton had, at one time been a prostitute
Gridlocked the cabinet and led to most of their firings by Jackson (he supported the Eatons)

7. What he accomplished…
In spite of his belief in merit-based appointments, Jackson’s administration is generally seen to be the start of the “spoils system” in American politics
Spoils system: Appointment of party loyalists to important government and cabinet positions
System is still in use today
Nullification Crisis
South Carolina threatens to ignore the Tariff of 1828 or secede from the Union
Jackson threatens military force in South Carolina to preserve the Union

8. 8th President of the United States
Martin Van Buren of Kinderhook, New York
Vice President, Secretary of States, Senator, Governor
Extremely civilized and polite, preferring to reason and compromise with his enemies than fight
Only President for which English was a second language

9. Van Buren as President (1837-1841)
Planned to continue all of Jackson’s policies
Had to contend with and economic depression, high inflation and high unemployment beginning in 1837
Was attacked by his opponents for his luxurious appearance and lifestyle
Anti-slavery, but also opposed its abolition

10. What he accomplished…
Denied the request of Texas to join the United States
Wanted to avoid a War with Mexico
Didn’t want to upset the balance of free and slave states established by the Missouri Compromise.
Continued domestic battles with Native Americans
Presided over a significant economic recession that would cost him his reelection in 1840

11. 9th President of the United States
William H. Harrison, Sr., of Charles County, Virginia
Soldier, politician, military governor
At the time, he was the oldest person elected to the Presidency
Shortest term of any President in history (32 days)

12. Harrison as President (1841)
Harrison was extremely decisive, and determined to do what he believed was right
Toss out the spoils system
Return the Presidency to a place of prominence in the American government
Rebuffed friends for jobs if they were not qualified
Determined to show that his age was not a limiting factor to his Presidency
Contracted pneumonia shortly after his inauguration and became very ill

13. What he accomplished…
He died…

14. 10th President of the United States
John Tyler of Charles County, Virginia
Vice President, Governor, U.S. Senator, Congressman
First man to become President after the death of his predecessor
Fierce defender of states rights

15. Tyler as President (1841-1845) “His Accidency”
Was not elected to the job, but ascended to it upon the death of Harrison
The Constitution was a little vague on Presidential succession at the time
His political opponents never accepted him as President
Made many enemies within his own party and was eventually expelled
Although Tyler had great resolve and courage, all of the conflict and uncertainty made him a very ineffective President

16. What he accomplished…
Set precedents for the behavior and actions of future Vice Presidents who were thrust unexpectedly into the job
Acquired approval from Congress for the admittance of Texas to the Union