17,394
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 43:
Line 43: + − In 1776 Adams was appointed, with Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, to draft a [[Declaration of Independence]]. Adams realized that Jefferson was much more gifted in terms of self-expression than he was, and the document was composed mostly by the Virginian. However, Adams did have a great deal of input, looking over drafts of the document. The Declaration that the two submitted falls into two parts. The first, which was heavily cribbed from English political philosopher [[John Locke]], was a statement of political principles and of the need for colonies to sever their ties with [[England]]. The second part is a list of complaints against the Crown, justifying the actions of the Continental Congress.+ − + −
→Declaring Independence: add details
==Declaring Independence==
==Declaring Independence==
Adams served a Massachusetts delegate in both the First and the Second Continental Congresses. He was a leading advocate of declaring independence and in June 1776 was assigned, along with [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[Benjamin Franklin]], to draft a [[Declaration of Independence]]. Adams realized that Jefferson was a much more gifted writer, and the document was composed mostly by the Virginian. However, Adams did have some input, looking over drafts of the document. Jefferson later remarked that Adams was the Declaration of Independence's "pillar of support on the floor of Congress, its ablest advocate and defender." Though Adams in principle opposed the practice of [[slavery]], he remained silent when Jefferson was pressured to strike out a provision in the Declaration that condemned slavery. Indeed, he never took a major role in opposing slavery, unlike most Federalists.
==Diplomat==
Adams served the Continental Congress as a diplomat, remaining abroad for a decade, from 1778 to 1788. Originally posted to France, he served in Paris with [[Benjamin Franklin]]. Franklin felt that Adams' blunt style and lack of understanding of European diplomatic process harmed the American effort. After France, Adams was posted to the Netherlands, where he secured a large war loan to help the patriot cause. Adams chaired the American delegation that drew up the [[Treaty of Paris]] in 1783, which formally ended the [[American Revolution]].
Adams served the Continental Congress as a diplomat, remaining abroad for a decade, from 1778 to 1788. Originally posted to France, he served in Paris with [[Benjamin Franklin]]. Franklin felt that Adams' blunt style and lack of understanding of European diplomatic process harmed the American effort. After France, Adams was posted to the Netherlands, where he secured a large war loan to help the patriot cause. Adams chaired the American delegation that drew up the [[Treaty of Paris]] in 1783, which formally ended the [[American Revolution]]. However, other than the recognition of American Independence and the establishment of boundaries, most the treaty's provisions were not honored by either party.
== Presidency (1797-1801) ==
== Presidency (1797-1801) ==