John Quincy Adams and the Politics of Slavery: Selections from the Diary

In the final years of his political career, President John Quincy Adams was known for his objections to slavery. As a young statesman, however, he supported slavery. What changed? Entries from Adams's personal diary reveal a highly dynamic and accomplished politician in engagement with one of his generation's most challenging national dilemmas. David Waldstreicher and Matthew Mason offer an unusual perspective on the dramatic and shifting politics of slavery in the early republic. By juxtaposing Adams's personal reflections on slavery with what he said-and did not say-publicly on the issue, the editors offer a nuanced portrait of how he interacted with prevailing ideologies during his consequential career and life.