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 * John Adams**


 * Position**: Federalist


 * Representing**: Massachusetts

Massachusetts is located in the North-eastern part of the United States and was home to many key events prior to the revolution such as the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre. Its economy was based primarily on fishing, lumber, and whale oil. Massachusetts was known for its Puritan heritage and so its population was still primarily Puritan and without much diversity. Being a New England Colony, much of Britain's legislature was targeted toward Massachusetts and so it is home to many strong feeling patriots.


 * Occupation and Socio-economic background**:

John Adams was a lawyer and politician. He was the lawyer that represented the British soldiers of the Boston Massacre and was able to get 6 of the soldiers acquitted while the other 22 were charged with manslaughter. He was well know for his defensive of the colonists against the Stamp Act. He published 4 separate articles in the Boston Gazette which explained why the colonists were opposed to the Stamp Act and which made him well known and respected. He was the driving force behind Massachusetts' constitution.


 * Constitutional Convention**

John Adams was not able to be present at the Constitutional Convention. This was purely because he was abroad, in Europe, serving as an ambassador to England during the convention.


 * Massachusetts' Ratifying Convention**

John Adams was not present at the Massachusetts Ratification Convention because he was still serving as the ambassador to Great Britain in 1788 (when the convention took place). However, had he been present at the convention, he would have voted for ratification based on the fact that many of the ideas within the Constitution were from John Adams such as the separation of power between the branches of government.


 * Arguments for Ratification**

Adams supported the idea of the separation of power between the three branches of government and also the idea of a bicameral legislative branch. Being a federalist, he was in favor of a strong central government and so naturally he befriended other federalists such as John Jay and Alexander Hamilton. He was not fond of the views of the federalists, namely Patrick Henry.


 * Bibliography**

*Adams, John. //Thoughts on Government Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies //. Boston: Philadelphia, printed. Boston,  1776. Print.

Erekson, Ole. "John Adams." //ushistory.org//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Feb. 2012. .

"John Adams and the Massachusetts Constitution - The Massachusetts Constitution." //Mass.Gov//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.  .