John Adams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Adams
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 2nd President of the United States | |
| In office March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801 |
|
| Vice President | Thomas Jefferson |
| Preceded by | George Washington |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
| 1st Vice President of the United States | |
| In office April 21, 1789 – March 4, 1797 |
|
| President | George Washington |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
| United States Minister to the Court of St. James's | |
| In office April 1, 1785 – March 30, 1788 |
|
| Appointed by | Congress of the Confederation |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Pinckney |
| United States Minister to the Netherlands | |
| In office April 19, 1782 – March 30, 1788 |
|
| Appointed by | Congress of the Confederation |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | William Short |
| Delegate to the Second Continental Congress from Massachusetts |
|
| In office May 10, 1775 – June 27, 1778 |
|
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Holten |
| Delegate to the First Continental Congress from Massachusetts Bay |
|
| In office September 5, 1774 – October 26, 1774 |
|
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 30, 1735 Braintree, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | July 4, 1826 (aged 90) Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Resting place | United First Parish Church Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse | Abigail Smith |
| Children | Nabby John Quincy Susanna Charles Thomas Elizabeth (Stillborn) |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Signature |  |
|
|
John Adams, Jr. (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an important leader in early American history. He was the second President of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before that, he served as the first Vice President of the United States from 1789 to 1797. He was also the father of John Quincy Adams, who later became the sixth U.S. President.
John Adams was born in Braintree, Massachusetts. He was the son of John Adams, Sr. and Susanna Boylston. He studied at Harvard College. In 1764, he married Abigail Adams, who became a very influential First Lady.
Contents
America's Fight for Freedom
John Adams strongly believed that the Thirteen Colonies should be free from Great Britain. He felt that everyone deserved fair treatment. Even though he disagreed with the British soldiers being in Boston, he bravely defended them in court after the Boston Massacre. He wanted to make sure they received a fair trial.
Adams was a representative for Massachusetts in the Second Continental Congress. He worked with Thomas Jefferson to write the United States Declaration of Independence. This document declared America's freedom from Britain. During the American Revolutionary War, Adams also helped to make peace with Great Britain. He served as an ambassador in France, the Netherlands, and England in the 1780s.
Serving as Vice President
John Adams became the first vice president under President George Washington. He served two terms in this role. After Washington decided not to run for president again, Adams ran in the 1796 election.
Adams was a member of the Federalist party. He won the election against Thomas Jefferson of the Democratic-Republican Party. Back then, the person who came in second place became vice president. This is why Jefferson, who was Adams's political rival, became his vice president.
John Adams as President
During his time as president, John Adams successfully avoided a major war with France. He worked hard to solve conflicts peacefully. However, he also signed the Alien and Sedition Acts into law. These laws made it illegal to speak badly about the government. Many people felt these acts took away their freedom of speech.
Adams was not re-elected for a second term. He lost the 1800 election to Thomas Jefferson. One of his last important actions as president was to appoint John Marshall as the Chief Justice of the United States. This helped ensure that the Federalist Party's ideas would still be important in the government.
John Adams was the only one of the first five U.S. presidents who did not own slaves. He was also the only one from New England.
His Final Days
John Adams passed away on July 4, 1826, due to heart failure. Amazingly, this was the exact same day that Thomas Jefferson also died. It was also exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
Interesting Facts About John Adams
- John Adams studied at Harvard University and became a fair lawyer.
- He represented Massachusetts during the Second Continental Congress.
- John Adams helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence.
- He was the first Vice President of the United States.
- He became the second President of the United States, winning against Thomas Jefferson.
- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day – July 4, 1826. This was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
- John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, was John and Abigail Adams's son.
How History Remembers John Adams
Adams sometimes worried that history would forget him or not appreciate his work enough. However, historians today often praise him for his dedication. Historian Edmund Morgan said that Adams "served his country more selflessly" than almost anyone.
Historian George Herring noted that Adams was very independent in his thinking. He was often described as stubborn, but this trait helped him avoid a full-scale war with France during his presidency. While his signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts is often criticized, his efforts for peace are highly regarded.
Even though Adams predicted he would be less famous than other Founding Fathers, his story is still important. In 2001, a popular book called John Adams was written about him. Later, in 2008, a TV miniseries based on the book was released, starring Paul Giamatti as Adams.
Honoring John Adams
Many places and things are named after John Adams. For example, a building of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. is called the John Adams Building. He signed the law that created the Library of Congress.
While Adams is honored on the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence in Washington D.C., there isn't a single monument just for him there. A memorial for the Adams family was approved in 2001, but it is still waiting for money to be built.
Images for kids
-
Adams's birthplace, now in Quincy, Massachusetts.
-
John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence painting. Adams is in the center with his hand on his hip.
-
The Assembly Room in Philadelphia's Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
-
Adams often disagreed with Benjamin Franklin on how to handle relations with France.
-
Treaty of Paris by Benjamin West. Adams is shown in the front.
-
Adams in 1785, a portrait by Mather Brown.
-
Portrait of Adams by John Trumbull, 1793.
-
Portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, 1795. Washington rarely asked Adams for advice.
-
President's House in Philadelphia. Adams lived here from 1797 to 1800.
-
A political cartoon about the XYZ Affair in 1798.
-
Thomas Jefferson, Adams's vice president, later defeated him for re-election.
-
Alexander Hamilton's desire for a high military rank caused conflict with Adams.
-
John Marshall, the 4th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, was a strong ally of Adams.
-
John Adams, around 1816, by Samuel Morse at the Brooklyn Museum.
-
The tombs of John and Abigail Adams (far) and John Quincy and Louisa Adams (near).
-
Peacefield, John Adams's home.
.jpg)
See Also
In Spanish: John Adams para niños
