John Adams was a founding father in the United States. He was born in Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1735. He was a lawyer as well as a diplomat. He served as a delegate in the Continental Congress and represented British soldiers who were charged with the Boston Massacre.
Adams, who was a lawyer by trade, was a strong supporter of independence for the colonies. Adams was instrumental in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. After the war, he served as a diplomat in France and the Netherlands. He was appointed to the Court of St. James's in London from 1785 to 1788. He was also a leading force in the opposition to the Townshend Acts of 1767.
He wrote extensively regarding the First Amendment. He was a staunch opponent to slavery. The antislavery laws he enacted during his presidency met with immediate resistance in Republican strongholds. These unpopular laws led to Thomas Jefferson's defeat in 1800.
Adams was instrumental in securing recognition of the United States by the Netherlands in 1782. Adams then started negotiating a treaty on commerce with the Netherlands. He was also a member of a commission that drafted the Declaration of Independence. In addition to his diplomatic work, he was elected to the First Continental Congress, where he was a leading voice for independence.
Adams formed close bonds with Thomas Jefferson in 1780s. Their friendship resulted in much correspondence between them. Their correspondence lasted fourteen years and was continued throughout their lives. They were also able exchange drafts of various documents, including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
In the 1780s, the United States faced pressure to take sides in the wars raging in Europe. The Republicans supported the republican government of France but the Federalists sympathized more with Britain. The Treaty of Paris ended the conflict.
Adams was a fierce critic of Great Britain as an politician. Adams was particularly critical regarding the Stamp Act, 1765, that taxed legal documents within the United States. 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 pay the terms of a large bribe demanded by French foreign minister. This scandal was later known as the XYZ Affair. It helped to boost Adams' popularity. Nevertheless, he returned to Europe in November 1779 with his sons.
Adams, a lawyer, was instrumental in the development of the Constitution of the United States. His key contributions to the American political development were his participation in the Declaration of Independence and development of The Bill of Rights. He was also instrumental in the negotiation of a peace treaty with Great Britain. He was a prominent player in the United States' political history and was one of America's most principled leaders of the late eighteenth Century.
John Adams was a passionate patriot and a dedicated patriot. However, he was also a smart and educated individual. He was also an outstanding political philosopher.