John Adams was a founding father for the United States. Born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1735, he was a lawyer and a diplomat. He served as a delegate in the Continental Congress and represented British soldiers who were charged with the Boston Massacre.
Adams, a lawyer and a strong advocate for independence for the colonies was also a staunch supporter of that cause. He helped to draft the Declaration of Independence. He served in France and the Netherlands as a diplomat 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 on the First Amendment. He was a strong opponent to slavery. His antislavery laws, which he passed during his presidency, were met with resistance from Republican strongholds. These unpopular laws were a contributing factor to Thomas Jefferson's defeat of him in 1800.
In 1782, Adams was instrumental in securing recognition for the United States in the Netherlands. He began negotiations with the Netherlands to establish a trade treaty. He was also a member of a commission that drafted the Declaration of Independence. He was also an ambassador 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 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 the United States was subject to pressure to participate in wars in Europe. Although the Republicans favored the republican government in France, the Federalists sympathized with Britain. The Treaty of Paris ended the conflict.
Adams was an active critic of Great Britain, as a politician. Adams was particularly critical the Stamp Act 1765, which taxed legal documentation in the United States. He considered the taxes oppressive and unfair. He opposed the Townshend Acts of1767 that imposed tariffs upon imported goods.
Adams refused to take a large bribe in exchange for the French foreign ministry's approval. The XYZ Affair was a scandal that boosted Adams' popularity. He returned to Europe with his two sons in November 1779.
Adams, as a lawyer was influential in the creation of the United States Constitution. His most important contributions to the development of the American political system came from his role in the Declaration of Independence and the development of the Bill of Rights. He helped to negotiate a treaty for peace with Great Britain. He was a significant player in the history of American politics and was one the most principled Americans of the late 18th 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 brilliant political philosopher.