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Adams was a big supporter of law and order, to the point of even defending the British soldiers who shot protesters at the [[Boston Massacre]].  Adams signed legislation against aliens and critics of himself known as the [[Alien and Sedition Acts]], which is considered one of the most unconstitutional bills ever enacted.  

Adams was a big supporter of law and order, to the point of even defending the British soldiers who shot protesters at the [[Boston Massacre]].  Adams signed legislation against aliens and critics of himself known as the [[Alien and Sedition Acts]], which is considered one of the most unconstitutional bills ever enacted.  

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. Adams lost to Jefferson by a wide margin of 61-39% in a bitter rematch in 1800 (the [[Electoral College]] vote was a closer 73-65), and Adams was a sore loser for a long time.  

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 High Federalists, leaving him in a weak position as president. Adams lost to Jefferson by a wide margin of 61-39% in a bitter rematch in 1800 (the [[Electoral College]] vote was a closer 73-65), and Adams was a sore loser for a long time.  

Adams' 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' 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.

==Early life and political career==

==Early life and political career==