John Adams

John Adams was an important figure in the formative years of the United States. He was an outspoken advocate for independence from Great Britain, a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. During the American Revolution, it was Adams who gained recognition of American independence from The Netherlands. After the war, he helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris which officially ended the conflict with Great Britain, and then negotiated trade treaties with The Netherlands, France, and other European nations. In 1785, he became the first U.S. Minister to Great Britain. He served as the nation's first Vice-President from 1789-1797, and became its second President in 1797.

Adams seldom achieved popularity during his long political career. His bluntness, impatience, and vanity made him more enemies than friends. On the great decisions of his public career, history has proved him right and his opponents wrong. But his clumsiness in human relations often caused him to be misunderstood. Despite those shortcomings, John Adams was indeed a very important figure in the history of the United States.

Chronology of John Adams' Life and Career
October 30, 1735	Born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts.
1755	Graduated from Harvard College.
1758	Opened a law practice in Braintree.
October 25, 1764	Married Abigail Smith.
1765	Wrote resolutions against the Stamp Act that were adopted by the Braintree town meeting.
1770	Defended the British soldiers charged with manslaughter following the Boston Massacre.
1771	Elected to the colonial legislature.
1774	Chosen a delegate to the First Continental Congress.
1775	Chosen a delegate to the Second Continental Congress.
1776	Signed the Declaration of Independence.
1777	Elected commissioner to France to negotiate a treaty of alliance.
1779	Elected to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention.
1780-1782	Obtained recognition of American independence from The Netherlands.
1782-1783	Served on the commission that negotiated peace with Great Britain.
1785	Appointed Minister to Great Britain.
1789	Elected Vice-President of the United States.
1792	Re-elected Vice-President.
1796	Elected President of the United States.
July 4, 1826	Died in Quincy.

John Adams was the first man to see his son, John Quincy Adams, become President.