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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 2nd [[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."  Adams founded a famous family of diplomats, politicians and historians. His son [[John Quincy Adams]] became president in 1824.

'''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 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 [[Aliens 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.  

==Early life and political career==

==Early life and political career==

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.  

Adam's faced the challenge of having to succeeded George Washington. He retained all of Washington's original cabinet members. Although some historians consider it a mistake, he believed that government officials should not be removed except for cause. He would later add the Department of [[Navy]] in 1798. He protected the Washington administration's policy of neutrality in the on going war between [[England]] and [[France]]. Federalists were pushing for a war against France and closer ties to Great Britian. Instead Adams wanted to send a bipartisan commission to France that included [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]], however they both refused.  

Adam's faced the challenge of having to succeeded George Washington. He retained all of Washington's original cabinet members. Although some historians consider it a mistake, he believed that government officials should not be removed except for cause. He would later add the Department of [[Navy]] in 1798.  

Adams continued the Washington's policy of neutrality in the on going war between [[England]] and [[France]]. Federalists were pushing for a war against France and closer ties to Britian. Instead Adams wanted to send a bipartisan commission to France that included [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]], however they both refused.  

 

Jefferson spent much of his time as vice-president attacking Adams, even going so far as by hire journalists to write scurrilous editorials about the President. Adams passed several laws in an attempt to prevent his defeat by Jefferson in 1800. Adams passed the Alien and [[Sedition Act]]s. The Alien Act was designed to prevent immigrants, who supported Jefferson, from gaining citizenship, and the right to vote. While the Sedition Act was designed to stifle critics of Adams. When Adams was defeated by Jefferson he began an attempt to stack the courts with [[Federalist]] judges so that his party could maintain some control of the government. One such appointment led to the landmark [[Supreme Court]] case of [[Marbury v. Madison]].

Adam’s unpopularity while in office contributed to his defeat to Jefferson in 1800.

 

 

Jefferson spent much of his time as vice-president attacking Adams, even hiring journalists to write scurrilous editorials about the President. Federalists fought back with new laws. The Alien Act (1798) was designed to prevent immigrants, who supported Jefferson, from gaining citizenship, and the right to vote. While the Sedition Act was designed to stifle critics of Adams. When Adams was defeated by Jefferson he began an attempt to stack the courts with [[Federalist]] judges so that his party could maintain some control of the government. One such appointment led to the landmark [[Supreme Court]] case of [[Marbury v. Madison]].

The Adams' were the first residents of the [[White House]]. They moved in November 1800.

The Adams' were the first residents of the [[White House]]. They moved in November 1800.

== 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> [[Encyclopedia 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 Jefferson.  The day marked 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>.

 

== 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>