1. Farmer from Braintree, Massachusetts.
2. Harvard graduate.
3. John Adams was the Legal Defense for the British Soldiers of the Boston Massacre – a case Mr. Adams rightfully won.
4. A Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. It was Adams that 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 our 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.
5. Appointed then Colonel George Washington of Virginia, to the post of Commander in Chief of the newly formed Continental Army. Adams pushed hard for this motion before the Continental Congress; much to the dismay of Mr. John Dickinson.
6. Author of Thoughts on Government, which supported the benefits and need for a system of checks and balances that 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.
7. Author of the Constitution for the State of Massachusetts.
8. Ambassador to France at the Court of King Louis the XVI.
9. Ambassador to Holland where he insured the necessary bank loans to finance the fledgling American Republic.
10. Assisting negotiator of the Treaty of Paris, alongside John Jay and Benjamin Franklin, which brought an end to the American Revolution and the formal creation of the United StatesFse.
11. 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.
12. First Vice President of the United States.
13. Second President of the United States.
14. Appointed Chief Justice John Marshall to the head of the U.S. Supreme Court.
15. Father of the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams.
16. Father of the United States Navy. He was very fond of his “Wooden Walls” – wooden ships.
17. Repeatedly lamented that like his father he should have only been a shoemaker.
Image Used in this Post
John Adams Portrait courtesy of Flickr user immugmania published under the CC license.
19 Comments
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.
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.
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.
“Going back to 1776, 76, 76… Oh, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin..” South Park 100th episode.
So what’s the hard-on with John Adams?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
i think this web site was very useful when i was doing my history day report thank you for the information
Hi Alice, thanks for the kind words; I’m glad this article was able to help you with your project. Now I hope you get an A!
John Adams’ father was not a shoemaker, he was a minister wasn’t he? They called him Deacon John.
You’re correct Judy, but in addition he was a farmer and a shoemaker. On numerous occasions John Adams personal writings revealed a desire to have lived a more simple life making shoes just as his father had done.
thank you you were a big help on my project
You’re welcome Missy. I hope you do well
thank you. I a writing a scholarship essay with this information. I really appreciate it. I am writing about the courage of Mr. Adams. a true American hero.
Good luck with the scholarship, Raul. You picked
a great subject for your essay!
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[...] 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 [...]