John Adams was a founding father in the United States. Born in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1735 he was both a lawyer and diplomat. He defended British soldiers charged with the Boston Massacre and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress.
Adams, who was a lawyer by trade, was a strong supporter of independence for the colonies. He was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence. After the war, he served as a diplomat in France and the Netherlands. He was appointed to the Court of St. James's in London from 1785 to 1788. He was also a leader in opposition to Townshend Acts (1767).
He wrote extensively about the First Amendment. He was a staunch opponent to slavery. His antislavery laws, which he passed during his presidency, were met with resistance from Republican strongholds. His defeat by Thomas Jefferson, 1800, was due to these unpopular laws.
Adams was instrumental to securing recognition in the Netherlands for the United States of America in 1782. He began to negotiate with the Netherlands a treaty in commerce. He was also an active member of the committee responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence. He was also an ambassador for independence.
Adams formed close bonds with Thomas Jefferson in 1780s. They maintained a close friendship that resulted in a lot of correspondence. Their correspondence was continuous throughout their lives, lasting fourteen years. They were also able exchange drafts of various documents, including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
In the 1780s America was faced with pressure to be a part of the Europe wars. While the Republicans favored France's republican government and the Federalists supported Britain, they sympathized with the British. The Treaty of Paris finally resolved the conflict.
As a politician, Adams was a vigorous critic of Great Britain. Adams was especially critical of the Stamp Act (1765), which taxed legal documents in America. He thought the taxes were unfair and oppressive. He also opposed the Townshend Acts of1767, which imposed tariffs on import goods.
Adams refused to take a large bribe in exchange for the French foreign ministry's approval. This scandal became known as the XYZ Affair, and it boosted his popularity. However, he returned to Europe in 1779 with his children.
Adams, as a lawyer was influential in the creation of the United States Constitution. His important contributions to American political systems were the Declaration of Independence (and the Bill of Rights). He was also instrumental in the negotiation of a peace treaty with Great Britain. He was a major player in the political history of the United States and was one of the most principled and influential Americans of the late eighteenth century.
John Adams was a fierce patriot and an ardent believer in the cause of freedom, but he also was intelligent and well-educated. He was also a great political philosopher.