Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
John Quincy Adams

Accepted Answer

John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848) was an American statesman who served as the sixth President of the United States from 1825 to 1829. He was the son of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and Abigail Adams, making him one of only two American presidents to be the son of a former president, the other being George W. Bush.

Before his presidency, John Quincy Adams had a distinguished diplomatic career. He served as the U.S. Minister to the Netherlands, Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain. He was also a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and served as the Secretary of State under President James Monroe. In this role, he was instrumental in formulating the Monroe Doctrine, which warned European powers against further colonization and intervention in the Western Hemisphere.

Adams's presidency was marked by his strong support for federal funding for internal improvements like roads and canals, as well as his advocacy for an observatory, which would later become the Smithsonian Institution. His presidency, however, was also characterized by political difficulties. He faced strong opposition from Andrew Jackson and his supporters, which limited his effectiveness and contributed to his defeat in his bid for re-election in 1828.

After his presidency, Adams was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served for 17 years until his death. He became a leading opponent of slavery and was a key figure in the Amistad case, where he argued before the Supreme Court for the freedom of African slaves who had rebelled on the Spanish ship Amistad. His argument was successful, and the Court ruled in favor of the Africans' freedom.

John Quincy Adams's legacy is one of a statesman who was deeply committed to public service and principled leadership. His diplomatic contributions helped shape U.S. foreign policy, and his post-presidential career in Congress established him as an important voice for human rights and civil liberties.

Question 2

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Peggy Eaton Affair

Accepted Answer

The Peggy Eaton Affair, also known as the Petticoat Affair, was a scandal that took place during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, which began in 1829. It involved Margaret "Peggy" O'Neale Eaton, the wife of John Henry Eaton, who was a close friend of President Jackson and his Secretary of War.

Peggy Eaton had been the subject of rumors and gossip due to her social behavior and the circumstances of her marriage to John Eaton. She had married Eaton shortly after the death of her first husband, John Timberlake, a purser in the U.S. Navy, which led to speculation about the nature of her relationship with Eaton before her first husband's death.

The scandal became significant because it created a rift within President Jackson's cabinet. Many cabinet members' wives, led by Floride Calhoun, the wife of Vice President John C. Calhoun, snubbed Peggy Eaton socially, refusing to receive her in their homes. This caused a divide among the cabinet members themselves, with some siding with the Calhouns and others supporting the Eatons.

President Jackson, who had been the subject of similar rumors about his marriage to his wife Rachel, took Peggy Eaton's side in the dispute. He believed that the attacks on her were unfair and an echo of the attacks that had been made on his own wife, who had died shortly after his election, and which he felt had contributed to her death.

The affair disrupted the operation of the government and eventually led to the resignation of nearly all members of Jackson's cabinet. This was partly orchestrated by Jackson himself, who wanted to remove the dissenters and solidify his own power base. The only member who did not resign was Postmaster General William T. Barry.

The Peggy Eaton Affair is significant in American history as an example of how personal relationships and social politics can influence the highest levels of government. It also demonstrated Andrew Jackson's fierce loyalty to his friends and his willingness to stand against prevailing social norms of the time. The affair ultimately contributed to the political decline of John C. Calhoun, who had aspirations for the presidency, and it marked a reorganization of Jackson's administration that would have lasting effects on his presidency.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Henry Clay, Compromise Tariff, Force Bill

Accepted Answer

Henry Clay was a prominent American statesman and politician who served as a United States Senator and Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was known as the "Great Compromiser" for his role in brokering several important compromises in the early 19th century.

The Compromise Tariff of 1833 was a piece of legislation that was proposed by Henry Clay as a way to resolve the Nullification Crisis, which was a conflict between the state of South Carolina and the federal government over tariffs. The compromise lowered the tariff rates over a period of 10 years, and it helped to ease tensions between the state and federal governments.

The Force Bill, also known as the "Bloody Bill," was a piece of legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in 1833 in response to the Nullification Crisis. It authorized President Andrew Jackson to use military force to enforce federal tariff laws. The bill was seen as a show of strength by the federal government and helped to defuse the crisis.

The significance of Henry Clay, the Compromise Tariff, and the Force Bill lies in their roles in resolving the Nullification Crisis and maintaining the authority of the federal government. Henry Clay's ability to negotiate compromises and find common ground between opposing factions helped to prevent a potential civil war and preserve the Union. The Compromise Tariff and the Force Bill were important pieces of legislation that helped to defuse a major political crisis and assert the authority of the federal government over the states.

Question 4

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Tariff of Abominations (Tariff of 1828), nullification controversy

Accepted Answer