JOHN ADAMS
By: Jamie Loomis, Ashrith Reddy, Ashwini Allen
Family History
- He was born on October 30,1735 in Massachusetts to John Adams Sr.(A Harvard graduate and farmer) and Susanna Adams.
- He had 2 brothers named Elihu Adams and Peter Adams.
- John attended Harvard and began teaching, but after a year soon disliked it.
- He later became a lawyer and married Abigail Smith on October 25, 1764.
- She gave him 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls.
- John Adams died on July 4, 1826.
Political Affiliations
- John Adams was a Patriot opposed to a Loyalist and he wanted independence from England.
- He fought against the government practices of England such as the Stamp Act by writing political pamphlets. He believed in the saying, "No taxation without representation". He argued that it was clearly stated in the Magna Carta that colonists had the the same rights as citizens of England.
- He fought for political freedom against England's abusive taxation.
Contributions to Colonial Development
- Tired of England's oppressive taxation without representation, John Adams wrote reforms and political pamphlets such as the "Essay on the Canon and Feudal Law" assisting in the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766.
- He helped write the Declaration of Independence and signed it.
- He persuaded colonists in The Second Continental Congress to vote in favor of independence from England.
- He selected George Washington to lead the Continental Army.
- In 1770, he was elected the Massachussets Assembly and represented the country at the First Continental Congress in 1774.
- In 1779, John Adams also drafted the Massachusetts constitution.(This would be a draft for the U.S Constitution in the future)
- He helped bring and end to the The American Revolution by negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
- John Adams spent many year in France and Britain as a diplomat for The American Rebels.
- He attained the help of France, the 2nd most powerful country in England, to assist the colonies in the Revolution.
- An active member in the Congress, Adams participated in over 90 committees and was seated 25 at the 2nd Continental Congress.
A book written by John Adams in his outcry against the Stamp Act.
John Adam's Signature from the Declaration of Independence.
John Adams presents Declaration of Independence to Congress.
Integrity in John Adams
- Integrity is firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values. (Merriam-Webster)
- John Adams assisted the repeal of the stamp act, a tax created by the Britain in 1765 declaring no taxation without representation. He argued that England was being oppressive and not that the Magna Carta gave them rights. After several articles and pamphlets, England revoked the act in 1766. Adams strongly believed in the moral principle of equality and that no country should be over-imposing on it colonies.
- As a firm believer of fair trial, John Adams displayed integrity when he defended the British soldiers also known as Redcoats who had murdered Crispus Attucks(a free slave) at the Boston Massacre. Adam's argued that the Redcoats should be released due to the fact that they were just following orders. Later, he won the case.
Citizenship in John Adams
- Citizenship is the quality of an individual's response to membership in a community. (Merriam-Webster)
- John Adam's displayed citizenship when he demanded independence from England during his famous speech at The Second Continental Congress.
- John Adam's also hand-picked the General for the Continental Army, George Washington himself.
- Adams was also a contributor to the Declaration of Independence and to the Massachussets Constitution, which would be later used to model the U.S Constitution.
- He was also an active participant in both Continental Congresses representing Massachusetts. He served in over 90 committees and gave a multitude of speeches.
Getting to know John Adams
History Videos for Kids: Adams "Getting to Know... John Adams"