AMERICAN POLICY EXAMINER. A Tea Party Activist's Guide to American Political Science.

President John Adams (1735 - 1826)

Biography

John Adams' career was filled with achievement. At the height of his success, Adams was a delegate, along with his cousin Samuel Adams, to the First and Second Continental Congresses and eventually became the first Vice President of the United States under George Washington. Thereafter, he became the second President where he served a single term.

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 in Quincy, Massachusetts (Called Braintree at the time). His parents John Adams, Sr., and Susanna Boylston were notable Puritans. Adams' father was a lieutenant in the militia, a town councilman, a farmer and a Congregationalist deacon.

Adams career path began at the early age of 16, when he attended Harvard College. After graduating, he soon sought to become a lawyer and studied law with James Putnam in Worcester and by 1758, Adams was admitted to the bar.

In October of 1764, Adams married Abigail Smith, who was the daughter of another Congregationalist minister. They had six children, one of which was stillborn. Adams' oldest son John Quincy would continue the Adams legacy in becoming the sixth President of the United States of America.

John Adams' spirited opposition to the British government would define his political life and put him at the heart of the American Revolution and independence. The beginning of this rise to the top of the political ranks was his vocal opposition to the British Parliament's tax hike to pay for its war debts. This is most notably referred to as the Stamp Act of 1765. Of the many forms of dissent, Adams instructed his colonies representatives on preserving its rights as a colony and he wrote several opinion articles voicing his concerns directly to the people by way of the Boston Gazette.

Another defining moment in Adams' career was his role in putting together a legal defense for British soldiers who were accused of killing five civilians in what is now referred to as the Boston Massacre (1770). His willingness to risk his political career on an unpopular legal defense is often referred to in defining his character and his belief in the rule of law. Despite giving council to the British, he was able to win election to the colonial legislature in 1770.

As a representative in the colonial legislature, John Adams was a leader in defending the rights of the colony and its independence. Adams fought Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson on the payment of judges and the authority of the Crown in paying for the colonial government.

John Adams was chosen as a delegate to the first and second Continental Congresses from 1774 to 1777. John Adams was at the forefront of advocating for independence of the colonies from Britain. He nominated George Washington, who was the commander of the Virginia militia, to be the first commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

Not only was Adams a leading advocate for independence, he also was instrumental in the creation of the state and federal Constitutions. His philosophy on Republicanism and the importance of the separation of powers lead to the bicameral system created under the United States Constitution. He was also a co-author of the Massachusetts Constitution, which he mostly wrote himself, with the help of his cousin and influential leader Samuel Adams and James Bowdoin. His views on Republicanism are outlined in a book he had written for representatives of colonies who were seeking to create their own Constitutions. This work is called “Thoughts on Government” and was written in 1776.

During the height of the Revolutionary War, at a time when the Continental Army was losing many battles against Britain, John Adams helped the Congress keep its resolve and advocated a 'Declaration of Independence.' After his colleague Thomas Jefferson wrote up this declaration, Adams promoted it and had great influence in the establishment of independence.

John Adams was appointed to several important committees after the Congress declared independence and in 1777, he was dispatched to Europe as a diplomat in an effort to bring peace to Europe and secure American interests. Although the difficulty was great, Adams, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin were able to secure a treaty that secured the sovereignty of all land east of the Mississippi River under the rule of the United States (except East and West Florida).

Adams also worked in the Dutch Republic and was able to win recognition of United States sovereignty at The Hague on April 19, 1782. While there, Adams was also instrumental in securing new loans for the United States, which were important in keeping America's finances stable. He also was at the center of developing trade relations with European states and was appointed the first ambassador to Great Britain which resulted in the thawing of relations between the two nations.

After the new Constitution was ratified, John Adams came in second among the votes from the electoral college, making him the first Vice President of the United States under George Washington. As Vice President, Adams was not called upon for many things. His main duties were restricted to presiding over the Senate as its president. In doing so, he cast 29 tie-breaking votes, which was a record that has not been broken. In his role, Adams documented his dissatisfaction with his insignificance in the new government.

The feeling of insignificance would soon whither away, however, when he was chosen as the Federalist Party's nominee in the presidential election of 1796. With George Washington stepping down after two terms, the Federalist Party was becoming increasingly popular. This popularity helped Adams become president with Thomas Jefferson of the Democratic-Republican Party becoming his Vice President.

As president, John Adams continued the policy of the Washington administration and did not enact new and significant policies. He also made the decision to keep the same Cabinet, which was heavily influenced by Alexander Hamilton, who would become a rival who played a deciding role in the elections of 1801. The decision to continue these policies are seen by historians as an important step in retaining stability and smoothly strengthening the new republic.

However, not everything in politics went smoothly. Adams presidency came at a time where the new political parties were fighting for prominence in the new political system. These fights brought about the Federalist's efforts to silence the opposition party and to lengthen the time it took for immigrants to gain citizenship. Although Adams did not advocate the policy, he did sign into law what are now referred to as the Alien and Sedition Acts. Although rarely enforced and of little significance, the opposition were able to use these laws against Adams and the Federalists in an effective way.

In foreign policy matters, John Adams continued Washington's policy of neutrality in the war between France and Britain. However, this did not prevent conflict with France in what became known as the “Quasi-War.” Although neither nation declared war, the French seized American merchant ships and a conflict escalated to where Adams felt it necessary to arm the military and prepare for war. This armament eventually became less and less necessary as Adams was able to successfully end the conflict through diplomatic means.

John Adams made significant progress in his first term, but would be unable to continue after a polarizing election campaign split his party. Alexander Hamilton was seeking Charles Cotesworth Pinckney to become the Federalist candidate and although Adams was able to overcome the opposition, the disunity in the Federalist Party lead to his defeat against Thomas Jefferson.

Before leaving office, the Federalists tried to leave a lasting position in government by creating several new jurisdictions for new judges in the Judiciary Act of 1801. Thomas Jefferson repealed these changes the next year. Although ultimately unsuccessful in changing the judiciary across the nation, Adams left a last Federalist mark with his nomination of John Marshall as the fourth Chief Justice of the United States. Marshall lead the judiciary with lasting Federalist principled interpretation of the Constitution.

John Adams retired to his home outside Quincy, Massachusetts where he wrote extensively. He began an autobiography, spoke out against his critics and began a long-lasting correspondence through letters with Thomas Jefferson after his Presidency ended.

During his son's presidency, John Adams became ill and died on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the republic. His colleague and friend Thomas Jefferson died just hour before him.