John Adams was the founding father of America. He was born in Massachusetts Bay Colony 1735 and was a lawyer, diplomat, and lawyer. He defended British soldiers charged with the Boston Massacre and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress.
Adams was a lawyer who stood up for independence for the colonies. He was instrumental to the creation of the Declaration of Independence. He worked as a diplomat in France for a few years after the war. He was appointed to Court of St. James's London from 1785-1788. He was also a leader in opposition to Townshend Acts (1767).
He wrote extensively on the First Amendment. He was a staunch enemy of slavery. He enacted antislavery legislation during his presidency. This was met with immediate resistance by Republican strongholds. These unpopular laws were a contributing factor to Thomas Jefferson's defeat of him in 1800.
Adams was instrumental to securing recognition in the Netherlands for the United States of America in 1782. Adams then started negotiating a treaty on commerce with the Netherlands. He was also part of the committee that drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence. Aside from his diplomatic work he was also elected to the First Continental Congress where he was a leading voice in support of independence.
Adams developed close relationships with Thomas Jefferson during the 1780s. They exchanged a lot of correspondence due to their friendship. Their correspondence was continuous throughout their lives, lasting fourteen years. They were also able exchange drafts of various documents, including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
In the 1780s America was faced with pressure to be a part of the Europe wars. The Republicans supported the republican government of France but the Federalists sympathized more with Britain. The Treaty of Paris was ultimately able to resolve the conflict.
As a politician, Adams was a vigorous critic of Great Britain. Adams was especially critical of the Stamp Act (1765), which taxed legal documents in America. He thought the taxes were unfair and oppressive. He was also against the Townshend Acts of1767 which imposed tariffs for imported goods.
Adams refused to accept a large bribe by the French foreign minister. The XYZ Affair was a scandal that boosted Adams' popularity. He did return to Europe, however, in November 1779, with his three sons.
Adams was a prominent lawyer who helped to develop the constitution of the United States. His important contributions to American political systems were the Declaration of Independence (and the Bill of Rights). He helped to negotiate peace with Great Britain. He was a significant player in the history of American politics and was one the most principled Americans of the late 18th century.
John Adams was a fierce patriot and an ardent believer in the cause of freedom, but he also was intelligent and well-educated. He was also an outstanding political philosopher.