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[[John Adams]], a direct descendant of Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, graduated from Harvard and became the second President of the United States after George Washington, who was a "tough act to follow" (i.e., no one could be as respected as Washington was).  John Adams was elected President as the Federalist Party's candidate in 1796, and served from 1797-1801.   

[[John Adams]], a direct descendant of Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, graduated from Harvard and became the second President of the United States after George Washington, who was a "tough act to follow" (i.e., no one could be as respected as Washington was).  John Adams was elected President as the Federalist Party's candidate in 1796, and served from 1797-1801.   

Adams would be described today as someone who "is full of himself," meaning that he thought highly of himself and did not take criticism well.  Adams was brilliant, but not creative.  His personality was the opposite of Thomas Jefferson, who would defeat Adams by a landslide in 1800.

Adams would be described today as someone who "is full of himself," meaning that he thought highly of himself and did not take criticism well.  Adams was brilliant, but not creative.  His personality was the opposite of Thomas Jefferson, whom Adams narrowly defeated in 1796 for president but then lost to Jefferson in 1800.

Adams served only one term (four years) and his presidency was a failure due primarily to foreign policy humiliations.  The problem was that no one in Europe respected this new country called the United States, and Adams was unable to deal with that lack of respect.  For example, in 1798 there was the "XYZ Affair," in which American diplomats went to France to demand an end to French attacks on American ships.  Instead of being received in a dignified manner, three French agents (referred to anonymously as "XYZ") demanded that a bribe be given to them or else the American request would not even be considered.  News of this demand for a bribe reached the United States and it was humiliating to the young country.

Adams served only one term (four years) and his presidency was a failure due primarily to foreign policy humiliations.  The problem was that no one in Europe respected this new country called the United States, and Adams was unable to deal with that lack of respect.  For example, in 1798 there was the "XYZ Affair," in which American diplomats went to France to demand an end to French attacks on American ships.  Instead of being received in a dignified manner, three French agents (referred to anonymously as "XYZ") demanded that a bribe be given to them or else the American request would not even be considered.  News of this demand for a bribe reached the United States and it was humiliating to the young country.