Get to Know John Adams, Founding Father and Early U.S. President

John Adams

1797-1801 FederalistXYZ Affair; Alien and Sedition Acts

John Adams was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the second president of the country, serving from 1797 to 1801. He was born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree, Massachusetts, and was brought up in a family of farmers. Adams was educated at Harvard College and trained as a lawyer. He became a prominent political figure in the revolutionary era, serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress and playing a key role in the debate over the Declaration of Independence.

In addition to his role in securing American independence, Adams is known for his contributions to the country’s early political institutions. He was instrumental in the drafting of the Massachusetts Constitution, which served as the model for the U.S. Constitution. As president, he championed a strong federal government and played a critical role in the development of American foreign policy, including the signing of the Jay Treaty with Great Britain.

Adams was married to Abigail Adams, a prominent advocate for women’s rights and education. They had five children, including John Quincy Adams, who would later become the sixth president of the United States. Adams died on July 4, 1826, at the age of 90, on the same day as fellow Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson, in a remarkable coincidence.

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