#2 John Adams
1797-1801
Farmer, Lawyer, Statesman,
President
Born October 30th
1735.
Parents: Elizabeth and
William.
Wife: Abigail (Smith)
Children: Abigail, John
Quincy, Susanna,
Charles, Thomas
Background
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John Adam’s ancestors were Puritans from
England, having come to Massachusetts in
the middle of the 17th Century.
The Adams family was upstanding, if not
extremely wealthy, with an honest reputation.
Adams’ father was a freeholder, or
landowning farmer, who also grew malt, and
was active in church and local politics.
Youth
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Young Adams spent a great deal of time
reading and studying.
He loved the outdoors, spending a great
amount of time in the local fields and forests.
He enjoyed learning, but needed some
encouragement from his father before
committing to his studies.
Education and Early
Adulthood
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As a young boy, he studied with local
teachers.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard
College in 1755, at the age of 20! Spoke
Latin, Greek, and French.
Worked as a school teacher upon graduation
from Harvard.
Studied law from 1755-1758
Admitted to the bar 1758 at the age of 23!
Marriage
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Adams married Abigail Smith, in 1764.
She came from a wealthy family (Her mother
thought she was marrying below her status).
She was among the most prominent first
ladies, and had an enormous effect on her
husband and his policies.
Extremely intelligent, and witty. A voracious
letter writer.
As strong of a marriage as any first couple
has ever had.
Law
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Adams had as strong an understanding
of the law as anyone in American
history, once ordering every new law
book printed in England.
Adams toured the entire Massachusetts
colony trying cases on property rights,
trade, theft, murder, burglary, etc.
Boston Massacre
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Adams defended the
British soldiers and their
officer charged in the
“Boston Massacre”.
This earned him a
reputation as an
extremely fair man and
increased his reputation
in the colonies.
Political Career
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Served in numerous local offices as a young
lawyer.
In 1768 he became a member of the
Massachusetts Legislature.
In 1774 First Continental Congress
1775 Second Continental Congress
1778 ambassador to France
1779 Massachusetts Constitutional
Convention
Political Career Continued
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1780 Minister to Netherlands
1785 Minister to England
1789-1797 Vice President to George
Washington.
1797-1801 President
1820 Member of Second Constitutional
Congress of Massachusetts
Important Actions in Politics
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Proposed George Washington as
Commander of Continental Army to
unite the colonies.
Committee of five selected to draft the
Declaration of Independence.
Helped gain French loans and military
support during the revolution.
Personality
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Adams was known for his honesty, candor,
wit, and sense of humor.
He was thought by some to be arrogant, vain,
ambitious, and strong willed, all of which he
admitted and was hard on himself for.
Adams was extremely hard on himself, and
sometimes on others, demanding his high
standards be met.
He was very sensitive to criticism, despite his
own tendency toward self-criticism.
Personality Continued
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Adams had many close friends, and was a
loyal supporter of them. Many people
considered his a great friend.
Adams was known to be wonderful in
conversation. He was also a great orator.
Adams wanted very much to be successful on
a high level, and worked to do so.
Unfortunately he was too opinionated and
principled to not offend some people, which
hampered his career.
Presidency
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Adams had a difficult time as president due to
his desire to be impartial.
Partisan politics between the Federalists and
the Democratic-Republicans became
extremely bitter.
His old friend Jefferson and his supporters
write scathing articles denouncing Adams.
His cabinet members were not loyal to him.
They were loyal to Hamilton, another
Federalist.
Important Events
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First President to live in the White House.
XYZ Affair (French demand bribes from U.S.
to end potential hostilities)
Quasi-War (Undeclared Naval War with
France)
Alien and Sedition Acts (Gave the President
power to suppress critical speech)
Presidential Legacy
Good
 Kept U.S. out of war
with France.
 Established U.S. Navy
and Marines Corps.
 Was fiscally
responsible.
 Attempted to end
partisan strife.
Bad
 Alien and Sedition
Acts.
 Mishandling XYZ
affair.
 Left White House to
avoid Jefferson
when he took office.
 Midnight Judges
Larger Legacy
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Adams, along with Washington, Franklin,
Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison, is
considered to be one of the most important of
the Founding Fathers.
By selecting Washington as Commander-in
Chief, and Jefferson to write the Declaration
of Independence, Adams showed
tremendous judgment and humility.
Larger Legacy Continued
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His role in securing aid from France was
decisive in the war.
He helped work out the Treaty of Paris,
ending the Revolution on fair terms.
He was firmly against slavery, in a time
when this was not the norm
Later Years and Death
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Was called to work in the Second
Constitutional Convention of
Massachusetts in 1820.
Became a supporter of abolition.
Reconciled with Thomas Jefferson after
years of bitterness.
Advised his son John Quincy.
Death
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John Adams died on July 4th, 1826, the
50th anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence.
His last words are reported as “Thomas
Jefferson still survives”. He didn’t know
that Jefferson died the same day.
Interesting
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Adams relationship with his wife is considered to be
one of the great love stories of American History.
They wrote hundreds of letters that survive today.
Adams son, John Quincy, also became president, the
first of only two times in history.
Adams cousin, Samuel, was one of the original
patriots, fighting against the Stamp Act.
John Adam’s Vice President was Aaron Burr. He will
come back into play later.