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=__John Adams__=

Theme: American Identity (Armed forces and Diplomatic relations) Birth date: October 30, 1735 (Braintree, Massachusetts (colony) now Quincy, Massachusetts) Death date: July 4, 1826 (Quincy, Massachusetts) Political Party: Federalist Party Term: 1797-1801 Vice President: Thomas Jefferson Rating: A-

As a President, John Adams and his administration deserve and A- for their achievements, changes, and accomplishments during the term from 1797-1801. They deserve this rating for their actions in increasing America's security and political presences within other nations such as France. In his term of office, John Adams being a beloved and charismatic man whom the people of America adored and followed willingly due to his political and speaking abilities and his military leadership that definitely qualify him for the grade of A- he rightly deserves. During his presidency, John Adams wished to keep political and social ties with France, and possibly strengthen them, protect the nation for any threats to its liberty and way of life, create a national defense to protect the nation, and unite the government in Congress even with the creation of two separate houses. While in the beginning of his term trade declined with France and war almost broke out between the two country, Adams succeeded in having trade policies and peace with France by keeping a calm head and not declaring war, unwanted by both sides no matter how many naval battles were fought. Due to the almost war with France, Adams had convinced Congress to create a larger standing army and navy to protect the nation. The navy almost immediately proved itself by clearing Atlantic waterways, protecting American envoys, and defeating the French navy in several battles. By not giving up his morals and attempting to negotiate with the French without bribery, Adams set a high example of moral foreign relations and President morality in dealing with matters nationally or internationally. One of his most controversial acts was the creation of the Alien and Sedition Acts which many believe helped lead to his defeat for reelection. Unfortunately, becoming disliked by his own cabinet and party members due to his relations with France, John Adams remained the Federalist nominee but lost his reelection to his own vice president, Thomas Jefferson, a Republican. Even though he kept piece and achieved trade with France, he lost favor within his presidency which can be viewed as either a success, for his action, or a failure for the results. During Adams presidency, his relationship with Congress was as good as his relationship with the people, favorable. For his entire term, Adams had Congressional support from a Federalist majority in both houses of Congress, however due to Federalist party factions between Adams and Hamilton, the end of his term was difficult due to infighting among the party members. It is thanks to his originally good relationship with Congress that the Alien and Sedition Acts was past and no war was declared with France. It is also with the help of Congress that Adams was able to create the Marine Corp and strengthen the United State's provisional army. One of the most positive things John Adams did, ironically, is not declare war with France even though there were several maritime battles. At the beginning of his term, Adams attempted to negotiate a trade treaty with France until the French asked for a bribe from the Americans first. By not declaring war with France, he was able to avoid that which neither side wanted and in the end reach a peace treaty that allowed American envoys to go to France. If Adams had allowed Congress to declare war, the U.S. would have entered another lengthy battle with a European force it most likely would not have been able to afford. By taking the somewhat peaceful method to solving the problems with France, Adams showed his intellect for leadership. This also leads however to Adams most negative action during his presidency, the creation of the Alien and Sedition Acts. As a response to the French's request for a bribe, Adams had approached Congress and had a response published that referred to the French as only "X, Y, and Z". After this incident, he was able to convince Congress to pass the Alien and Sedition Acts which increased the President's ability to deport resident aliens specifically in times of war as was likely between France and the U.S. Another part of the acts was the law prohibiting writing against the government mainly from the Republican party members who may try to make relations between the U.S. and France worse. By passing this law, Adams did scare France into backing down but also created the separation between his fellow Federalist party members who then followed either him or Hamilton. This creation of Federalists factions weakened the party and had the greatest negative aspect by allowing the Republican party to win the next election and take majority in Congress as well. If Adams had not allowed Congress to pass the Acts, Federalist support for him would not have wavered and France may have still backed down from their trade embargo. As President, Adams helped strengthen the U.S.'s army by creating the Marine Corp and increasing the size of the army and navy. At the time, this achievement was minor but has lead to the future generations of the United States having one of the largest, strongest, and most unique armies in the World. Of all the armed forces branches, the one Adams helped create, the Marine Corp, has become the most powerful and influential of all the branches having turned the tides of many wars throughout history. He also established a principal for future generations of Presidents to aim towards peaceful settlements to international issues and to attempt to avoid wars like he did with the French. Even though he strengthened the armed forces of America, he knew that diplomatic relations were the best way to solve a problem and this ideal has survived to today for not only the President but for all citizens of the U.S. American's helped create the U.N., a diplomatic force for peace, that is almost a direct descendant of the morals that Adams set in his relations with France. Compared to when John Adams first took the office of President, the nation and government as a whole became more secure and successful due to his presidency. As President, Adams was a popular president who helped build up the nations defenses and security while attempting to maintain good diplomatic relations with foreign countries. Even though a war almost occurred during his term, Adams was able to overcome the challenges and achieve peaceful trade relations with France at the cost of his parties support, but there are times when one must give up their personal future for that of the majorities future. Adams gave up his political career but fixed French-American relations and increased the national security of the U.S. greatly earning his rating of an A- for his accomplishments as the second President of the United States of America.

Works Cited:

"Alien and Sedition Acts." //United States American History//. Web. 06 Sept. 2011. .

"American President: John Adams: A Life in Brief." //Miller Center//. University of Virginia. Web. 06 Sept. 2011. .

"John Adams: Biography, Facts, Quotes, Speeches." //American Presidents — Biographies, Quotes, Timelines, Speeches//. Web. 06 Sept. 2011. .

"John Adams." //The White House//. USA.gov. Web. 06 Sept. 2011. .

====John T. Woolley and Gerhard Peters,//The American Presidency Project//[online]. Santa Barbara, CA. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=25802. ====