1. Compare and contrast John Quincy Adams and his father – John Adams: John Adams John Quincy Adams 2. Explain the “The Corrupt Bargain” and its consequences? The spread of Slavery and the Missouri Compromise 3. Key Points of the Missouri Compromise were:

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Let's compare and contrast John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, two remarkable presidents from the same family. Both served as U.S. Presidents and were highly educated intellectuals who worked as diplomats before their presidencies. However, they lived in different eras with distinct challenges. John Adams was a Founding Father and Federalist who dealt with the XYZ Affair, while John Quincy Adams evolved through multiple political parties and faced the Corrupt Bargain controversy. The Corrupt Bargain refers to the controversial 1824 presidential election. When no candidate won an electoral majority, the House of Representatives had to decide between the top candidates. Henry Clay, who was eliminated but held significant influence as Speaker of the House, threw his support behind John Quincy Adams. After Adams won the presidency, he appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Andrew Jackson and his supporters were outraged, believing Adams and Clay had made a secret deal. This accusation severely damaged Adams's presidency and led to the formation of the Democratic Party, ensuring Jackson's victory in 1828. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was a crucial agreement that temporarily resolved the crisis over slavery expansion. The key points were: Missouri was admitted as a slave state, Maine was admitted as a free state to maintain balance in the Senate, and slavery was prohibited in the remaining Louisiana Purchase territory north of the 36 degrees 30 minutes parallel. This compromise temporarily eased sectional tensions but highlighted the growing divide over slavery that would eventually lead to the Civil War. The political legacies of both Adams presidents shaped American democracy in significant ways. John Adams established crucial precedents as a Founding Father, including peaceful transfer of power and avoiding unnecessary wars. John Quincy Adams promoted internal improvements and became a powerful anti-slavery advocate in Congress after his presidency. Together, they demonstrated the importance of political integrity and showed how American democracy evolved from its founding through the antebellum period. Their experiences with events like the Missouri Compromise and the Corrupt Bargain influenced the development of political parties and democratic institutions. To summarize what we've learned: The Adams family represented intellectual leadership across two presidential generations, each facing unique challenges. The Corrupt Bargain of 1824 fundamentally changed American politics by creating lasting party divisions. The Missouri Compromise showed how the nation attempted to balance competing regional interests over slavery. Together, these events demonstrate the evolving nature of American democracy and the persistent challenge of maintaining national unity while addressing fundamental moral and political disagreements.