Adams, John 1:75 (b. Oct. 30 [Oct. 19, old style], 1735, Braintree, Mass.—d. July 4, 1826, Quincy), first vice president and second president (1797—1801) of the United States, who earlier had been an active Revolutionary and had served the American independence movement as a political theorist, influencing the content of state constitutions, and as a diplomat during and immediately after the American Revolution. Of New England background, Adams spent his early years teaching, and studying and practicing law. After making an advantageous marriage (1764), he became a prolific newspaper contributor, and was drawn by stages into opposition to British rule in the American Colonies. Although he helped secure the acquittal of British soldiers on trial for murder of five colonists (1770), he later participated actively in the Revolutionary movement, serving as a delegate to the First and Second Continental congresses (1774-77), helping draft the Declaration of Independence (1776), publishing the Thoughts on Government, in which he advocated the separation of functions in government, and promoting the Revolutionary cause in Massachusetts (1776—78). Early in 1778 he sailed for France on a diplomatic mission, but returned home in 1779 and participated in the drafting of the state constitution of Massachusetts (1780). He then returned to Europe, where he helped negotiate peace with Britain and congressional loans in Holland and then became the first U.

. minister to the Court of St. James (1785). While in Great Britain, he published his Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America (1787), which influenced his election as vice president of the United States in 1789. He subsequently became affiliated with the Federalists (who favoured a strong, centralized government), and despite his in- creasing unpopularity, he was elected president of the United States in 1796. During the next four years he led the country through a period of crisis, in the course of which he opposed the adherents of the French Revolutionists, while also avoiding war with France. Failing to be reelected in 1800, he spent his last years in retirement. TEXT BIOGRAPHY covers: Youth 1:75f Continental congresses 76b Revolutionary politics 76e Vice-presidency and presidency 77a Retirement at Quincy 77f REFERENCES in other text articles: ‘Boston Massacre trial 1I:591c ‘conservative views and writings 5:66c ‘early diplomatic association l:78c ‘election and diplomatic problems 18:959f ‘foundations of U.S. constitutionalism 14: 692e Franklin’s Treaty of Paris negotiation 7:695g ‘Hamilton’s inter-party Opposition 8: 587d • liberalism and majority control 10:848e ‘Marshall’s political service 11: 536e ‘religious views in correspondence 5:563e ‘White House residence 19:623b


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Author Resource BoxMarried, 43, living in Ohio and working as a financial consultant. Working on my second degree in history.Read John Bernham Profile