John Adams

1316 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: John adams influence on the usa

John Adams

John Adams was criticized during his presidency by his enemies as well as his colleagues. Obviously, his reputation as president doesn't really bring a positive thought to ones head. But does John Adams deserve a better reputation as the president of the United States? He just did not do a very good job when it came to picking his cabinet. His colleagues messed up his reputation. On the other hand, a newspaper called the

Aurora, which was publicized in Philadelphia during his presidency, continually heaped abuse upon Adams. They claimed that he was all words, but no action. Most of the

country felt this way about him when it came to the issue with the war with France. John Adams was not a very popular president of his time. John Adams was born in

the village of Braintree near Boston on October 19,1735.(Ellis) Who would have thought that this farm boy would grow up to one day become president. John Adams first

ran for presidency in 1789, but he lost to George Washington, whom by far was the unanimous choice. Adams received thirty four electoral votes and became

vice-president. Adams ran for the second time in 1797, and this time he came out the victor. He defeated Thomas Jefferson by only three electoral votes. The country did not really have confidence in John Adams. On March 4, 1797, John Adams delivered his inaugural address and became the second president of the United

States. Being the president, Adams was allowed to choose his own cabinet. He replaced Washington's cabinet which consisted of Edmund Randolph, Alexander Hamilton,

Henry Knox, and William Bradford. Timothy Pickering of Massachusetts was appointed the secretary of state, Oliver Welcott of Connecticut became the secretary of

treasury, James McH...

... middle of paper ...

...us, and open; warm in his friendly attachments, though perhaps rather implacable to those whom he thinks his enemies”. (Ellis) John Adams was not a bad president. However, because of society's selfish and impatient needs, he was made out to be the enemy. They faulted Adams for acting like a coward, but if to think about it, it's a lot easier to go to war than it is to keep peace. It's also quite difficult to go against the majority of ones colleagues who continually pressure you to act. John Adams may not have been the greatest president because of his ambition. However, he was a much better president than what he was given credit for. He was a brave and an honorable man who gave up re-election by not going to war. That's real honor. To give up one's own selfish needs for the good of one's country. John Adams was a much better president than he was given credit for.

Show More
Related

  • Compare And Contrast Jefferson And Adams

    613 Words  | 2 Pages

    Adams was a Federalist which meant he was upper class and wanted a strong central government and this showed when he led his country. He had to keep the nation stable amidst the French’s dislike for him that lead to the X, Y, Z Affair. The X, Y, Z Affair with France led to a three year long Quazi War that Adams had to keep the government stabile during. This led to him passing the Alien and Sedition Acts which were highly controversial and went against the first amendment. This was the first act of Adam’s presidency that went against the stability of the US government.

    Read More

  • How Did John Adams Respond To The Alien And Sedition Act Dbq

    931 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Adams virtually eradicated his chances of easily winning the election of 1800 by defying the hardcore patriotic attitude of many Americans. Through his continued acts, regardless if they were what was best for the country at that particular time or is he believed morally that it was the correct decision, such as approving the Alien and Sedition Acts and helping the British soldiers that were involved in the Boston Massacre, he left no room for himself to take an easy path to the presidency much less any path to the presidency.

    Read More

  • John Adams Dbq Essay

    1481 Words  | 3 Pages

    The early lives of John Adams and John Quincy Adams are different. John Adams?s father, who also named John, sent his son ? young Adams to Harvard College at age fifteen, and he expected him to become a minister. His father was working hard to make young Adams?s life different than his own which was to become an educated person. However, John Adams did not want to become a minister. After he graduated in 1755, he taught school for few years in Worcester, and that allowed him to think about his career choice. After much reflection, he decided to become a lawyer, and studied law in the office of James Putnam, a prominent lawyer in Worcester. In 1758, he was admitted to the bar. He put the skill to good use as a lawyer, often recording cases he observed so that he could study and reflect upon them. His report of the 1761 argument of James Otis in the superior court of Massachusetts as to the legality of Writs of Assistance is a good example. On the other hand, John Quincy?s father which is John Adams did not push him to become a minister. Moreover, John Adams brought young Adams to France (1778 ? 1779) and to the Netherlands (1780 ? 1782) to acquire his early education at institutions at the University of Leiden. John Adams let his son explored the world more than his own father did. At age fourteen, young Adams accompanied Francis Dana on a mission to St. Petersburg, Russia, to gain recognition to the new republic. He also spent time in Finland, Sweden, Den...

    Read More

  • John Adams A Good Or Bad President

    565 Words  | 2 Pages

    The United States of America have had their good and bad presidents throughout the course of our history. Of the seven-founding father of the United States John Adams whose presidency started in the year 1796, and became second president of the U.S. Adams main objective was to avoid war with France. Through the event known as the XYZ affair John Adams didn’t long to go to war with France in order to gain their respect. Under Adam’s administration he passed the Aileen and Sedition acts of 1798, which outlawed defiant speech. In addition, he maintained George Washington’s original cabinet. Adams was a supporter of equality, as well as justice but had difficulties following through with his beliefs during his presidency.

    Read More

  • John Hancock: Founding Father Of The Patriot

    1076 Words  | 3 Pages

    Born in January of 1737, John Hancock grew up to become a prominent founding father and important Patriot in American history. Filling many roles throughout his life, John Hancock shaped the course of the Revolution by standing out against the British rule. Originally a merchant and statesmen, Hancock became the president of the Second Continental Congress and helped convince all thirteen colonies to unite for their independence (History). Hancock stood for freedom in a time in which many leaders still hesitated to declare independence, and his influence convinced many colonists to unite against tyranny and still inspires many people today. To play such a significant role in the history of America, however, Hancock grew from experiences long

    Read More

  • Founding Brothers Sparknotes

    2008 Words  | 5 Pages

    With Washington out of running the nation, there was no "obstacle that remained to an open expression of the partisan rivalries that had been building over previous 8 years. Jefferson was untested candidate of the republicans which led to select Hamilton but he had created too many enemies to be a credible candidate so the vice president of George Washington, John Adams had been directly associated" (Brinkley, 176). The problem that Adams have faced through his presidency was that he himself was not a dominant figure in his own party because "Hamilton remained the most influential Federalist and Adams was never been able to challenge him effectively" (Brinkley, 177). Adams had only few skill as a politician. "Austere, rigid, aloof he had little talent at conciliating differences, soliciting support, or inspiring enthusiasm. He was a man of enormous, indeed intimidating, rectitude and he seemed to assume that his own virtue and the correctness of his position would alone be enough to sustain him" (Brinkley, 177). Around in 1800s bitter controversies shaped presidential candidates which was Jefferson and Adams. They were again the opposing candidates but it was very different than they had last time. Both themselves displayed reasonable dignity, but their supporters showed no restraint. "The Federalist accused Jefferson of being dangerous radical and

    Read More

  • John Adams Foreign Policy

    777 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the Revolutionary period, John Adams was a leader who was one of the founding fathers and advocate for the independence of America. He was a member of the Continental Congress. During the Revolutionary War, Adams served in France and Holland in a diplomatic role. After George Washington was elected as the President, he was put under Washington as the first Vice President. After Washington’s presidency, Adams, who was a part of the Federalists, was elected President on March 4, 1797 with Thomas Jefferson, his friend and rival, as Vice President.

    Read More

  • John Adams by David McCullough

    1712 Words  | 4 Pages

    The book, John Adams, by David McCullough, is a powerfully written biography of one of our nation’s greatest heroes. This biography explores Adams’ life in great depth, unveiling a side to his life unbeknownst to those who have never studied his life in great detail. Through diary entries, letters, and various other documents, the reader grasps a sense of what Adams’ day to day life was like, and is also able to grasp the enormity of his lifetime accomplishments.

    Read More

  • Andrew Jackson: A Man of Contradition

    2209 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...s a great president in his time. He spoke out for the American people and changed U.S. History forever. Not all of his actions were what would be considered moral today, and some were questionable even during his time. Yet, he acted as no other president had done so and wanted to have a government without corruption for the people. Andrew Jackson was born out of hardship and war, but he went on to achieve greatness.

    Read More

  • Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton

    653 Words  | 2 Pages

    For sure, if one vision had prevailed wholly over the other, the outcome would be substantial in modern society; Hamilton’s vision would have created another England and Jefferson’s – who knows? Works Cited Jewett, T. (2005). Thomas Jefferson: Agronomist. Retrieved from http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2005_summer_fall/agronomist.htm Tindall, G.B. & Shi, D.E. (2010). America a narrative history 8th edition.

    Read More

  • The Revolutionary War A-Z

    1646 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Adams was one of the delegates from Massachusetts to sign the Declaration of Independence. B- Britain- The British tried creating colonies in the Americas, and they governed these colonies and taxed them to the point of treating them unfairly. They limited the colonies’ trade and business, and even attacked them periodically. The Americans had enough of the British, so they rebelled against them.

    Read More

  • Essay on the Canon and Feudal Law by John Adams

    946 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Adams, born in Braintree, Massachusetts on October 30, 1735, was the second president of the United States and served as the first vice president of the United States. Adams began his education in a common school in Braintree. He secured a scholarship to Harvard and graduated at the age of 20. He was one of the Founding Fathers of America, and was a political leader, diplomat, and leading promoter of America independence from Britain. He also promoted republicanism and a strong central government. He was a lifelong adversary of slavery; he never owned a slave. John Adams was more remarkable as a political philosopher than as a politician. “People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity,” he said, thinking of his own as well as the American experience (The White House).

    Read More

  • Abraham Lincoln: Best President

    537 Words  | 2 Pages

    Without a doubt, there have been great presidents throughout American history. The subject of the matter is debatable about who has done the best job for the position. When you ask Americans who the greatest president ever to serve is, five names would be repetitive: Andrew Jackson, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is more than likely always at the top of the list. He is commonly known as the best president of the United States and I can't help but agree. President Lincoln has had numerous achievements, such as ending slavery, modernizing the economy, and preserving the Union.

    Read More

  • John Adams

    1156 Words  | 3 Pages

    John Adams was born on October 30th, 1735 to John Adams Sr. and Susanna Boylston Adams. He was the oldest of three and lived in Braintree, Massachusetts. His father was a farmer, deacon, and town councilman. The Adams were not very wealthy and John Adams’ father knew he could only send one son and he wanted to send his eldest. However, John Adams told his father “I do not love books and I wish you would lay aside thoughts of sending me to college.” His father in reply asked him- “What would you do child? Be a farmer?” John insisted that he wanted to be a farmer and not a scholar. His father brought him to work the fields the next day. Farming was strenuous work and was most likely rough on John’s hands and back. The night after the long day of farming, His father questioned him “Well John are you satisfied with being a farmer.” John Adams refused to admit that his father was right but John Adams Sr said “I do not like it[farming] so well, so you shall go to school.” John Adams and his father found a compromise- John would go to a tutor that challenged his students instead of the town teacher that was unbearably easy. Adams excelled under the tutors teaching and was accepted to Harvard in 1751.

    Read More

  • Alexander Hamilton

    1037 Words  | 3 Pages

    “[T]he man on the ten-dollar bill is the father of the American treasury system, a signer of the Constitution, one of the primary authors of the Federalist Papers, and the loser of the infamous duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. Alexander Hamilton's earlier career as a Continental Army officer is less well known. Yet Hamilton's first experience in public service is important, not only because it was the springboard to his later career, but because it also deeply influenced his values and thinking” (Hamilton).

    Read More

More about John Adams

Open Document