John Adams, Second President of the United States
Who was John Adams? John Adams was the second president of the United States. He was the first political leader who had to deal with democracy as we know it. Had it not been for his support of strong institutions – Supreme Court, Executive, Senate and The Military – America would have collapsed during the […] more
The Boston Massacre Trials
At the end of March 1770, just three weeks after the , a grand jury had indicted Captain Preston and his men as well as four civilians accused of having fired from the window of the Customs House. The soldiers of the twenty-ninth regiment accused of murder were William Wemms, James Hartigan, William McCauley, Hugh […] more
Role in Congress
John Adams served in Congress for four years, from 1774 to the end of 1777. During this time Adams served in a total of ninety committees, of which he chaired twenty. At the end of 1777 John Adams was simultaneously involved in twenty six committees, he was chairman of eight. No other congressman was as […] more
Treaty of Paris 1783
On September 3rd, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed by the three American negotiators, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, and David Hartley, representing King George III. The treaty was signed at the historical Hotel d’York in Paris. The Treaty of Paris was ratified by the American Congress of the Confederation on January […] more
Biography
John Adams was the fifth generation of Adams in America. His father was also John and his mother was Susan Boylston, daughter of Peter Boylston from the town of Brookline. John was born into a comfortable but not wealthy family in the town Braintree, Massachusetts, on October 19, 1735. He was the eldest son; his […] more
Stamp Act and the beginning of political activism
In May 1765 colonial residents learned that England had passed a new law called the This Act marks the beginning of the and American independence. It was also the beginning of a new chapter in John Adams’ life and his involvement in political activism. . Opposition to the Stamp Act created the Stamp Act crisis. […] more
The Massachusetts Constitution
Thoughts on Government As revolution entered its second stage John Adams counseled Congress that the next step towards independence was to build America’s own institutions. John made his view public in a pamphlet published anonymously in April 1776, titled Thoughts on Government. This pamphlet had an enormous impact on the way government was structured and […] more
Summation of John Adams in Rex v Wemms
The following is a transcript of the summation of John Adams in Rex v Wemms, The Soldiers Trial. Tuesday, NINE o’Clock, the Court met according to adjournment, and Mr. ADAMS proceeded: May it please your Honours, and you Gentlemen of the Jury, I yesterday afternoon produced from the best authorities, those rules of law […] more
The Declaration of Independence
Congress adjourned in late July 1775 and the Massachusetts delegation returned home. After a four month absence John was anxious to see his family but as soon as he arrived home he was informed that his brother Elihu had died of dysentery. Adams spent his time in Massachusetts with his family and attending sessions in […] more
Presidency
When John Adams was elected president the population of the United States was 4’900,000. The presidential election was the first contested election in the United States. When the final tabulation of votes arrived at the senate, ironically it was Adams who opened the envelope as he was President of the Senate. John Adams won with […] more
