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'''John Adams''' (October 30, 1735 - July 4, 1826) is one of America's [[Founding Fathers]], serving as [[George Washington]]'s [[Vice President]] from 1789 to 1797, and as the second President of the [[United States of America]], serving a single term from 1797 to 1801. In terms of party affilation, Adams was a [[Federalist]], and was the only Federalist to serve as [[President of the United States|President]]. Adams ran for re-election in the [[United States presidential election, 1800|Presidential election of 1800]] but was defeated by [[Thomas Jefferson]] in the latter's "[[Revolution of 1800]]."

'''John Adams''' (October 30, 1735 - July 4, 1826) is one of America's [[Founding Fathers]], serving as [[George Washington]]'s [[Vice President]] from 1789 to 1797, and as the second President of the [[United States of America]], serving a single term from 1797 to 1801. In terms of party affiliation, Adams was a [[Federalist]], and was the only Federalist to serve as [[President of the United States|President]]. Adams ran for re-election in the [[United States presidential election, 1800|Presidential election of 1800]] but was defeated by [[Thomas Jefferson]] in the latter's "[[Revolution of 1800]]."

==Early life and political career==

==Early life and political career==

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree (now Quincy), [[Massachusetts]]. His father was also named John, his mother was Susanna Adams and his son was [[John Quincy Adams]], a later President in his own right.  

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree (now Quincy), [[Massachusetts]]. His father was also named John, his mother was Susanna Adams and his son was [[John Quincy Adams]], a later President in his own right.  

   

   

Adams attended [[Harvard]] and, after a stint as a schoolmaster in Worchester, Massachusetts, took up the practice of law in [[Boston]]. In 1765, Adams wrote tracts such as the Braintree Instructions, which argued against the [[British Stamp Act]]. His cousin, [[Samuel Adams]], attracted far more notice during the Stamp Act crisis, leading demonstrations and using far more colorful language (there would later be some confusion regarding John and Samuel. When John was sent to [[France]] by the [[Continental Congress]] on a diplomatic mission, the French initally thought he was the "famous Adams," that is, Samuel Adams). In the wake of the [[Boston Massacre]] in 1770, Adams represented the British troops, arguing that all Englishmen (and many colonists still thought of themselves as Englishmen at this point) deserved a vigorous defense.

Adams attended [[Harvard]] and, after a stint as a schoolmaster in Worchester, Massachusetts, took up the practice of law in [[Boston]]. In 1765, Adams wrote tracts such as the Braintree Instructions, which argued against the [[British Stamp Act]]. His cousin, [[Samuel Adams]], attracted far more notice during the Stamp Act crisis, leading demonstrations and using far more colorful language (there would later be some confusion regarding John and Samuel. When John was sent to [[France]] by the [[Continental Congress]] on a diplomatic mission, the French initially thought he was the "famous Adams," that is, Samuel Adams). In the wake of the [[Boston Massacre]] in 1770, Adams represented the British troops, arguing that all Englishmen (and many colonists still thought of themselves as Englishmen at this point) deserved a vigorous defense.

   

   

In 1774, after the crisis brought on by the [[Boston Tea Party]] and the resulting [[Coercive Acts]], Adams became an advocate for American independence. Adams was one of Massachusetts’s representatives to the Continental Congress. He attracted the notice of other delegates at the [[Second Continental Congress]] as one of the few to argue for independence at this early date.

In 1774, after the crisis brought on by the [[Boston Tea Party]] and the resulting [[Coercive Acts]], Adams became an advocate for American independence. Adams was one of Massachusetts’s representatives to the Continental Congress. He attracted the notice of other delegates at the [[Second Continental Congress]] as one of the few to argue for independence at this early date.

== Vice President and President ==

== Vice President and President ==

Adams returned home after the adoption of [[the Constitution]].  He served as the first [[vice president]] in the U.S. history from 1789 to 1797.  George Washington's decision to retire from public life set the stage for the first truly partisan presidential election.  Alexander Hamilton was the true leader of the Federalists.  However he made many political enemies during his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury. The Federalists decided to run Adams as their presidenal candidate and Thomas Pinckney for the office of vice-president. The Republicans selected their leader, Thomas Jefferson for president and Aaron Burr as vice-President. Adams won the bitterly contested[[United States presidential election, 1796|Presidential Election of 1796]], garnering 71 electoral votes to Jefferson's 68, and became president in his own right.  

Adams returned home after the adoption of [[the Constitution]].  He served as the first [[vice president]] in the U.S. history from 1789 to 1797.  George Washington's decision to retire from public life set the stage for the first truly partisan presidential election.  Alexander Hamilton was the true leader of the Federalists.  However he made many political enemies during his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury. The Federalists decided to run Adams as their presidential candidate and Thomas Pinckney for the office of vice-president. The Republicans selected their leader, Thomas Jefferson for president and Aaron Burr as vice-President. Adams won the bitterly contested[[United States presidential election, 1796|Presidential Election of 1796]], garnering 71 electoral votes to Jefferson's 68, and became president in his own right.  

However, in 1796 electors did not indicate which office they were voting for. By coming in second to Adams, Jefferson became his vice-president.  Before the 1804 election, the twelfth amendment would require electors to designate which office they were voting for.  

However, in 1796 electors did not indicate which office they were voting for. By coming in second to Adams, Jefferson became his vice-president.  Before the 1804 election, the twelfth amendment would require electors to designate which office they were voting for.  

Jefferson spent much of his time as vice-president attacking Adams, even going so far as to hire journalists to write scurrilous editorials about the President.  

Jefferson spent much of his time as vice-president attacking Adams, even going so far as to hire journalists to write scurrilous editorials about the President.  

== Death ==

== Death ==

He died July 4, 1826 at the age of 90 in Quincy, Massachusetts only a few hours after the death of Thomas Jefferson.  Both men died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Only one signer of the Declaration ([[Charles Carroll]]) outlived him.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/people/pa/John_Adams.html</ref>.  Adams was the first President of the United States to live in [[the White House]].  <ref> [[Encylopedia of Presidents, John Adams]] by Marlene Targ Brill, Children's Press </ref>

He died July 4, 1826 at the age of 90 in Quincy, Massachusetts only a few hours after the death of Thomas Jefferson.  Both men died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Only one signer of the Declaration ([[Charles Carroll]]) outlived him.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/people/pa/John_Adams.html</ref>.  Adams was the first President of the United States to live in [[the White House]].  <ref> [[Encyclopedia of Presidents, John Adams]] by Marlene Targ Brill, Children's Press </ref>

== Legacy ==

== Legacy ==