Howe covers a pivotal moment in American history, focusing on the transition in leadership from the Founding Fathers to the next generation, the ethos of improvement, and the rise of John Quincy Adams as a key figure embodying the spirit of national development.

On July 4, 1826, America celebrated its 50th anniversary with the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, signifying the end of an era and the passing of the torch to figures like John Quincy Adams. Adams’s presidency championed the philosophy of “improvement,” emphasizing both individual and national development. This period underscored the importance of representative democracy with a vision that the liberation from British rule was a means for Americans to contribute to the betterment of humankind.

John Quincy Adams, inheriting the legacy of his forebears, viewed his presidency as an opportunity to fulfill the nation’s promise. He advocated for internal improvements, such as the Erie Canal, and believed in the moral imperative of using the government to enhance national infrastructure and education. His stance on these issues was both a continuation of the Republican nationalism that emerged after the War of 1812 and a personal commitment to an ethos of improvement that was evident in both his private endeavors and his public policies.