John Quincy Adams was born July 11, 1767, in Braintree Massachusetts. Although Adams had many professions according to this website which explained how he was a statesman, politician, diplomat, lawyer, diarist as well secretary of state before becoming president. He has a highly educated background as he graduated from Harvard University to become a lawyer. He was the sixth president of the United States for four years and although he had a strong stance on being anti slavery, his active participation in ending the problem did not start until after his presidency.
Adams had strong beliefs regarding the concern of ending slavery, but he was not considered an abolitionist by most. Although he did not speak up much on the issue, he still vouched for the abolition of slavery, even if that was not verbally. This website gives good examples of this silent participation. It explains how he was one of two presidents who did not own any slaves and started his active participation after his presidency.
Adams fought against congress, even with the amount of death threats and people not on his side, he never stopped fighting and fought until the day he died. The main way he fought for the freedom on the slaves was an establishment of a new rule, which he called the gag rule. The gag rule is explained in this article as a proposal for the discussions of debates of anti-slavery petitions to be prohibited. This rule worked very well for Adams because it drew a lot of attention to the slavery issue.
The next thing he did, now having public attention drawn to him from his gag rule, was a huge petition for twenty two enslaved African Americans. He was so passionate about persuading people that he threatened his opponents and people who disagreed with him with census to show his disapproval.
His next step was presenting a new resolution to the constitution. According to this website, the proposal stated that every child born after July fourth, should be born free. His efforts by pitching this idea worked very well to help pave the way for ending slavery, with Florida being the only state with an exception.
Another way Adams worked towards the ending of slavery was by fighting in favor or the African Americans involved in the US vs the Amistad case. They were unrightfully charged for a rebellion on a Spanish ship. Their reasoning for the rebellion was that fifty of African American kids were kidnapped and taken to Cuba where they were intended on being sold into slavery there. They killed the people on board, took over the ship, then intended on sailing back to Africa, but their plans were ruined when they were eventually sent to New England where they were jailed. Adam's side won, and the African Americans were sent back to Africa.
His efforts were made clear in eighteen forty four, when the majority of the votes switched to his side in regards to his proposed gag rule. This is the result of all of his active participation in the fight to end slavery.
There is so much evidence to prove that John Quincy Adams believed that everyone has the right to be free, and would fight on the issue until the day he died, which he did. Adams stated "I just hope I can bring about a day prophesied when slavery and war shall be banished from the face of this earth".
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