#2 John Adams- The Voice of Independence

#2 John Adams- The Voice of Independence

 Adams was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a leader of the American Independence from Great Britain. He played a leading role in persuading Congress to declare Independence and assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

During the Revolutionary War he was one of the first members of the Continental Congress (1774-1778) as well as Envoy to France (1778-1779). As the new colony, he served as Minister to the Netherlands (1782-1788), Minister to the court of St. James (1785-1788) and was the first Vice President under the United States (1789-1796). He was the first President to live in the White House.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

1797; At the age of 61, John Adams became the second President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson wins his Vice President position. His first order of business was making a three party peace committee to ease tensions with France. The circumstances of those men having to bribe their way to see the French prime minister became known as the XYZ Affair.

1798;

• The Eleventh Amendment was declared, which stipulated federal court will not have jurisdiction when it comes to litigation between individuals from one state against individuals of another.
• Alien and Sedition acts were adopted.
• Tensions grew with France, Congress approved finances for an army in case war was inevitable.
• Washington was brought back on as the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army.

1799;

• Built up the U.S. Army and Navy in the face of an undeclared naval Quasi-war with France.
• George Washington is laid to rest in Mt. Vernon, VA

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S TOMB

• New York ends slavery, becomes free state

QUASI-WAR

1800;

• Adams signs into law the Federal Bankruptcy act to protect merchants and traders from debtors.
• Washington D.C. is finished, becomes the new capital and Adams becomes the first President to live in the Presidential mansion (What is now referred to as the White House).
• The quasi-naval war with France ends.

Adams signing the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts may have silenced some of his critics in trying to fill Washington’s shoes, but it also made him very unpopular and is most likely the reason he only served one term. Given his work building up the Army and Navy in his only term, he is still often regarded as the Father of the American Navy.

Famous Quotes:

“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”