Mon 5 May 2008
John Adams in 60 seconds
Posted by Greg Molyneux under History
- Farmer from Braintree Massachusetts.
- Harvard graduate
- Legal Defense for the British Soldiers of the Boston Massacre - a case Mr. Adams rightfully won.
- Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He was the one who Thomas Jefferson referred to as their “colossus on the floor” and when he spoke he, “moved us in our seats”. If Jefferson was the author of our independence, Adams was its voice. Not only did he head the committee that would draft the declaration, he repeatedly laid his reputation and popularity on the line to push congress towards dissolving our allegiance with Britain. It was Adams who bestowed Jefferson with the task of penning our declaration.
- Appointed then Colonel George Washington of Virginia, to the post of Commander and Chief of the newly formed Continental Army (which was heavily fought for by Adams to the dismay of Mr. John Dickinson before Congress).
- Author of Thoughts on Government, which expounded upon the benefits and need of a system of checks and balances which would uphold a strong central government. A government that would be backed by an honest and just Supreme Court, with an active executive and dutiful legislature.
- Author of the constitution for the State of Massachusetts.
- Ambassador to France at the Court of King Louis the XVI.
- Ambassador to Holland where he insured the necessary bank loans to finance the fledgling republic.
- Contributor to the negotiations Treaty of Paris, along with John Jay and Benjamin Franklin, which brought an end to the American Revolution and formal creation of a new nation.
- First U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James in London. It was Mr. Adams who was the first to speak on behalf of America before his majesty King George III.
- First Vice President of the United States.
- Second President of the United States.
- Appointed Chief Justice John Marshall to the head of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Father of the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams.
- Father of the United States Navy. He was very fond of his “Wooden Walls” - wooden ships.
- Repeatedly lamented that he should have only been a shoemaker.
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12 Responses to “ John Adams in 60 seconds ”
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July 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm[...] independence from the Crown. The motion, originally raised a month prior, and seconded by the colossus John Adams had finally run its course. As a matter of historical fact, on this day the decision was already [...]
May 5th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Its interesting how often you hear those with power and colossus responsibility wishing they had chosen simpler careers, and those with simple careers wishing they had more power and responsibility.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I think it is that age old maxim of human nature that the grass is always greener on the other side.
That said, all the Babelers ought to retire to your village in Spain where we can run this blog and marinate in our own filth.
May 5th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
It’s unfortunate how much John Adams is overshadowed by the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin in association for the American Revolution. He truly was the magnanimous force that lead our country to its independence.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
“Going back to 1776, 76, 76… Oh, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin..” South Park 100th episode.
So what’s the hard-on with John Adams?
May 7th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Well having known next to nothing about Mr. A, aside from the fact that he was our second president, reading his biography has illuminated me to many facts. This dude has to be the most underrated American by far.
He is easily the third most important revolutionary (behind Washington and arguably equal to Jefferson, certainly ahead of Franklin) yet there are no monuments to him and there is a big lack of recognition of his importance.
History has done John Adams a disservice as he was a remarkable man. Independence very easily could not have happened without Mr. A. I am very impressed by his work and dedication, but more so I am shocked about how little is allowed to be known about him. There is way too much Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin in these parts.
It looks like South Park was right yet again.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
They usually are. Good points, I certainly didn’t know anything more than him being the second president before all of the recent hype.
I am wondering, on a more global scale, what the deal is with all of the Adams publicity all of a sudden? Was it the biography or the HBO special that sparked the recent Adams-trend?
Or is it merely a case of a public who is frustrated with the lack of ability in current political leaders that leads us to reminisce about the glory days of our fledgling nation and the great men who brought it to fruition?
May 7th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
David McCullough, the author of the biography, started this project as a co-biography of Adams and Jefferson, but during the research realized this only could be about Adams. McCullough was amazed at what Mr. A achieved and how little has been heard of him. Thus his Pulitzer winning book was born.
McCullough has said that he is trying to personally raise John Adams awareness. After reading the bio (best I have ever read) I fully support the learn about John Adams initiative.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I like the sound of that sort of background story. It sounds like an important piece of forgotten history that may bring the balancing force required at present.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
The best part of the whole story is that Adams was completely aware that history was going to overlook him unjustly. He knew it would be the richer and cooler Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington that would be the heroes. Being a bit vain it was always a sore spot with him, but he never let the temptation of historical popularity interfere with him doing the right thing for his country.
Adams words on Franklin:
May 7th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Wow. Now I have to read the book.
Although I was totally serious with my above statement, it would be out of character if I didn’t throw in the obligatory smart-ass comment: You need to be on McCullough’s payroll.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I ought to be, this is too much free advertisement. With this book I read it and immediately understood why it won him the Pulitzer. His book 1776, is fantastic as well. I might as well keep on with the plugs. I never had much interest in U.S. History, but McCullough has lit the fire in much the same way that Dr. Karras lit the fire with Greece and Rome.