Judging John Q. Adams National Security-8 John Quincy Adams got an eight because there was a conflict between regions. At the time, the United States had 11 free states and 11 slave states. If there was going to be another slave state or free state, then it would tip the balance. The senate was in favor of adding a new slave state. So Henry Clay came up with a compromise; the Missouri Compromise. It kept the balance and prohibited anymore slave states. Economy-9 John Quincy Adams wanted to strengthen the economy because he believed that a strong economy would prevent regional conflicts. So he wanted to pass a protective tariff. He said that it would help domestic industries by keeping Americans from buying foreign goods. Relationship with foreign countries-8