John Adams is the founder father of the United States. He was born in Massachusetts Bay Colony 1735 and was a lawyer, diplomat, and lawyer. He was a delegate to Continental Congress and defended British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre.
As a lawyer, Adams was a staunch advocate of independence for the colonies. He was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence. He was a diplomat in France, the Netherlands and France after the war. He was appointed to Court of St. James's, London, from 1785-1788. He was also a prominent force against the Townshend Acts in 1767.
He wrote extensively concerning the First Amendment. He was a fierce opponent of 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 in securing recognition of the United States by the Netherlands 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. Apart from his diplomatic work, he was elected as a member of the First Continental Congress. He was a prominent voice for independence.
Adams and Thomas Jefferson formed close friendships in the 1780s. The two men exchanged much correspondence as a result of their friendship. Their correspondence lasted 14 years and continued throughout the rest of their lives. They were also able and willing to exchange drafts of several documents including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and others.
The United States was under pressure in the 1780s to join the European wars. While the Republicans favored France's republican government and the Federalists supported Britain, they sympathized with the British. In the end, the conflict was resolved with the Treaty of Paris.
Adams was an active critic of Great Britain, as a politician. He was particularly critical of the Stamp Act of 1765, which taxed legal documents in the United States. He considered the taxes oppressive and unfair. He was also against the Townshend Acts of1767 which imposed tariffs for imported goods.
The French foreign minister demanded a large bribe from Adams, but he refused to deal on these terms. This scandal, known as "XYZ Affair", boosted Adams popularity. He returned to Europe with the rest of his family in November 1779.
As a lawyer, Adams was influential in developing the constitutional government of the United States. His contributions to the American political system were primarily through his involvement in the Declaration of Independence, and the creation of the Bill of Rights. He also helped to negotiate a peace treaty between the United States and Great Britain. He was an important player in American political history and one of the most principled, influential Americans of late 18th century.
John Adams was a committed patriot who was passionate and dedicated, but he was also intelligent and well-learned. He also was a remarkable political philosopher.