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The only son of a President to ever reach that office (until the election of George W. Bush, 2000), John Qunicy followed a career similar to his father's. Both attended Harvard, studied law, and were successful ministers and peace commissioners in Europe. Adams is recognized to have been more successful as a statesman and diplomat than politician and was widely credited with the document known as the Monroe Doctrine - a document which, in years after its design, has been referred to over and over as an aid in establishing U.S foreign policy.
The only President to be elected to Congress after a term as president, Adams was more successful here, where he distinguished himself by his dedicated fight to remove the "gag rule", which prevented Congress from considering any discussion of slavery. After fourteen years, Adams was finally successful. A defender of women's rights to speak on matters of political interest Adams is quoted as saying: "Are women to have no opinions or actions on subjects relating to the general welfare? Where did the gentleman get this principle? Did he find it in the sacred history (the Bible) - Š Has he forgotten the deed of Jael, who slew the dreaded enemy of her country? Has he forgotten Esther, who by her petition saved her people and her country?"
His service ended in 1848 after he collapsed on the House floor from a stroke, just after casting a "no" vote to decorate certain officers in the Mexican War. Carried to the Speaker's room, he died two days later.
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