Changes

'''John Adams''' (1735-1826) was an American Founding Father, diplomat, and the second [[President of the United States]] from 1797-1801.  Adams was a prominent figure of the [[American Revolution]].  His numerous accomplishments include involvement in the drafting of the [[Declaration of Independence]], writing the constitution for the state of Massachusetts, serving as a diplomat to [[England]], [[France]], and the [[Netherlands]], negotiating the Treaty of Paris, and serving as the first Vice President of the United States under President [[George Washington]].  

'''John Adams''' (1735-1826) was an American Founding Father, diplomat, and the second [[President of the United States]] from 1797-1801.  Adams was a prominent figure of the [[American Revolution]].  His numerous accomplishments include involvement in the drafting of the [[Declaration of Independence]], writing the constitution for the state of Massachusetts, serving as a diplomat to [[England]], [[France]], and the [[Netherlands]], negotiating the Treaty of Paris, and serving as the first Vice President of the United States under President [[George Washington]].  

In the [[United_States_presidential_election,_1796|presidential election of 1796]], Adams, on the ticket of the [[Federalist Party]], defeated the Democratic-Republican nominee [[Thomas Jefferson]] and became the second President of the United States.  He broke with Hamilton and the ultra-Federalists, leaving him in a weak position as president. He lost to Jefferson in a bitter rematch in known 1800. His presidency was marked by the [[Quasi-War]] between the United States and France, the [[XYZ Affair]], the founding of the [[U.S. Navy]], the passage of [[Alien and Sedition Acts]], building a new national army, and an unexpected peace with France; as he left office he appointed numerous judges,most notably [[John Marshall]] as Chief Justice.

In the [[United States presidential election, 1796|presidential election of 1796]], Adams, on the ticket of the [[Federalist Party]], defeated the Democratic-Republican nominee [[Thomas Jefferson]] and became the second President of the United States.  He broke with Hamilton and the ultra-Federalists, leaving him in a weak position as president. He lost to Jefferson in a bitter rematch in known 1800. His presidency was marked by the [[Quasi-War]] between the United States and France, the [[XYZ Affair]], the founding of the [[U.S. Navy]], the passage of [[Alien and Sedition Acts]], building a new national army, and an unexpected peace with France; as he left office he appointed numerous judges,most notably [[John Marshall]] as Chief Justice.

Adams founded one of the great families in American history, with numerous politicians, diplomats and historians.  Adams reputation was long in the doldrums, since Franklin quipped in 1783: "He means well for his Country, and is always an honest Man, often a Wise One, but sometimes and in some things, absolutely out of his senses." Historians Much admire his independence, patriotism and realism, but his self-righteousness and vanity represented a critical weakness.  

Adams founded one of the great families in American history, with numerous politicians, diplomats and historians.  Adams reputation was long in the doldrums, since Franklin quipped in 1783: "He means well for his Country, and is always an honest Man, often a Wise One, but sometimes and in some things, absolutely out of his senses." Historians Much admire his independence, patriotism and realism, but his self-righteousness and vanity represented a critical weakness.  

After Jefferson left office in 1809 he and Adams resumed their cordial friendship, and exchanged a series of highly insightful letters.

After Jefferson left office in 1809 he and Adams resumed their cordial friendship, and exchanged a series of highly insightful letters.

He died July 4, 1826 at the age of 90 in Quincy, Massachusetts only a few hours after the death of Jefferson.  The day marked the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Only one signer of the Declaration ([[Charles Carroll of Carrollton]]) outlived him.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/people/pa/John_Adams.html</ref>.

He died July 4, 1826 at the age of 90 in Quincy, Massachusetts only a few hours after the death of Jefferson.  The day marked the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Only one signer of the Declaration ([[Charles Carroll of Carrollton]]) outlived him.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/people/pa/John_Adams.html</ref>

== Legacy ==

== Legacy ==

In a October 2000 survey of 132 prominent professors of history, law, and political science, President John Adams was grouped in the "Above Average" group, ranked 13th, with a mean score of 3.36 out of 5.00. <ref>Presidential Leadership: Rating the Best and the Worst in the White House (New York, Wall Street Journal Book, 2004)</ref>

In a October 2000 survey of 132 prominent professors of history, law, and political science, President John Adams was grouped in the "Above Average" group, ranked 13th, with a mean score of 3.36 out of 5.00.<ref>Presidential Leadership: Rating the Best and the Worst in the White House (New York, Wall Street Journal Book, 2004)</ref>

It was John Adams whose quote has been inscribed upon the mantle in the White House dining room:<blockquote>

It was John Adams whose quote has been inscribed upon the mantle in the White House dining room:<blockquote>

*'''“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.”'''

*'''“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.”'''

*John Adams also said another time "Ask me not whether I am Protestant, Calvinistic or Armenian, as far as they are Christians, I wish to be a fellow disciple with them all."  <ref>''[[God and the Oval Office]]'' by John C. McCollister, W Publishing Group, 2005. </ref>

*John Adams also said another time "Ask me not whether I am Protestant, Calvinistic or Armenian, as far as they are Christians, I wish to be a fellow disciple with them all."  <ref>''[[God and the Oval Office]]'' by John C. McCollister, W Publishing Group, 2005.</ref>

*"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."<ref>John Adams, ''Argument in Defense of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials,'' December 1770 [http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/3235.html The Quotations Page] </ref>

*"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."<ref>John Adams, ''Argument in Defense of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials,'' December 1770 [http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/3235.html The Quotations Page]</ref>

*"Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war." <ref> Quoted in ''Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989'' by Michael Beschloss </ref>'''

*"Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war." <ref>Quoted in ''Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989'' by Michael Beschloss</ref>'''

*"Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws."

*"Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws."

{{USPresidents}}

{{USPresidents}}

{{USVicePresidents}}

{{USVicePresidents}}

{{Template:Declaration of Independence}}

{{Declaration of Independence}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, John}}   

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, John}}   

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:People who were Educated at Home]]

[[Category:People who were Educated at Home]]

[[category:Diplomacy]]

[[Category:Diplomacy]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:Republicanism]]

[[Category:Republicanism]]