About The Works of John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, and diplomat who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain, and he served as the first vice president of the United States. Adams was a dedicated patriot who promoted the values of the American Revolution, and he helped define the American ideal of liberty.Adams was born in Massachusetts in 1735, and he was educated at Harvard University. He became a lawyer and began his political career in the Massachusetts colonial legislature. Adams was an early advocate for independence from Great Britain, and he was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1777. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence, and he served as a diplomat in Europe during the American Revolution.Adams returned to the United States in 1785, and he served in the Continental Congress and the Massachusetts state legislature. He was elected to the first U.S. Congress in 1789, and he served as vice president from 1789 to 1797. As vice president, Adams was a key advisor to President George Washington.Adams was elected president in 1796, and he served one term in office. He faced challenges from the French Revolutionary Wars and the XYZ Affair, and he oversaw the expansion of the United States with the addition of the Northwest Territory. Adams also worked to improve relations with Great Britain and to resolve the issue of American neutrality in the conflicts between France and Great Britain. He was not reelected in 1800, and he retired to his home in Massachusetts.Adams continued to be active in retirement, and he wrote his memoirs and corresponded with Thomas Jefferson. He died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Adams was a significant figure in the American Revolution and the early history of the United States, and his legacy continues to influence American politics and society.