John Adams | |
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![]() John Adams by Gilbert Stuart c. 1800–1815 | |
2nd President of the United States | |
In office March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801 | |
Vice President | Thomas Jefferson |
Preceded by | George Washington |
Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
1st Vice President of the United States | |
In office April 21, 1789 – March 4, 1797 | |
President | George Washington |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
1st United States Minister to the United Kingdom | |
In office April 1, 1785 – February 20, 1788[1] | |
Appointed by | Congress of the Confederation |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Thomas Pinckney |
1st United States Minister to the Netherlands | |
In office April 19, 1782 – March 30, 1788[1] | |
Appointed by | Congress of the Confederation |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Charles W. F. Dumas (acting) |
United States Envoy to France | |
In office November 28, 1777[2][3] – March 8, 1779 | |
Preceded by | Silas Deane |
Succeeded by | Benjamin Franklin |
Chairman of the Marine Committee | |
In office October 13, 1775 – October 28, 1779 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Francis Lewis (Continental Board of Admiralty) |
Delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress | |
In office September 5, 1774 – November 28, 1777 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Samuel Holten |
Personal details | |
Born | Braintree, Massachusetts Bay, British America (now Quincy) | October 30, 1735
Died | July 4, 1826 Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. | (aged 90)
Resting place | United First Parish Church |
Political party |
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Spouse(s) | |
Children | 6, including Abigail, John Quincy, Charles, Thomas |
Parents | |
Education | Harvard University (AB, AM) |
Signature | ![]() |
John Adams (October 30, 1735[a] – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain, and he served as the first vice president of the United States. Adams was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with many important figures in early American history, including his wife and adviser Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson.[5]
A lawyer and political activist prior to the revolution, Adams was devoted to the right to counsel and presumption of innocence.[6] He defied anti-British sentiment and successfully defended British soldiers against murder charges arising from the Boston Massacre.[5] Adams was a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress and became a leader of the revolution. He assisted in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. As a diplomat in Europe, he helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain and secured vital governmental loans. Adams was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which influenced the United States constitution, as did his essay Thoughts on Government.[7]
Adams was elected to two terms as vice president under President George Washington and was elected as the United States' second president in 1796. He was the only president elected under the banner of the Federalist Party.[8] During his single term, Adams encountered fierce criticism from the Jeffersonian Republicans and from some in his own Federalist Party, led by his rival Alexander Hamilton. Adams signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts and built up the Army and Navy in the Quasi-War with France. During his term, he became the first president to reside in the executive mansion now known as the White House.[9]
In his bid for reelection, opposition from Federalists and accusations of despotism led to Adams losing to Thomas Jefferson.[10] Adams retired to Quincy, Massachusetts. He eventually resumed his friendship with Jefferson by initiating a correspondence that lasted 14 years.[11] Adams and his wife, Abigail, begat a family that has made contributions to the America's political and intellectual life for more than 150 years, a family that included their son, John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States.[12] Adams and Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.[5] Of the first 12 U. S. presidents, Adams and his son are the only presidents who did not own slaves in their lives.[13] Adam's presidency has been assessed favourably by historians, but due to multiple controversies arising from his presidency, he was the first U.S president to only serve one term in office.
I congratulate you or rather my Country in the choice of you this day as a Commissioner to France for the united States, in lieu of Mr. Dean who is recalled.
Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner to the Court of France in the room of S. Deane, Esqr. and, the ballots being taken, John Adams, a delegate in Congress from Massachusetts bay, was elected.
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