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Doug White Pd #4

John Adams (October 30, 1735- July 4, 1826) Federalist Party In office March 4, 1797- March 4, 1801 Vice President: Thomas Jefferson

(#6) John Adams's performance as the second President of the United States should be given the grade of a B. While achieving small acomplishments in the fields of foreign policy and military, problems in these, and other areas, plagued his presidency.

One of Adams's main goals, as was one of the Federalists party's, was to strengthen the central government. One of the main things Adams did to further strengthen the central government was improving and expanding the military forces of the United States, particularly the Army and Navy. he also aimed to continue America down the same path that George Washington had. Adams kept Washington's cabinet as his own, and approached many foreign policy issues as Washington had/ would have. Adams was fairly successful at these things, but that does not neessarily mean that his overall presidency was a success.

John Adams was a very independent thinker. So to say that he and Congress didn't always have grand communication is not far-fetched. Although, Adams didn't come up with, write, or fully endorse the Alien & Sedition Acts, he still agreed to sign the Congress-proposed bills. Even though Adams's beliefs sometimes differed from those of Congress, they were always able to work cooperatively for the betterment of the nation. However, Adams independent mind inspired many ideas not heavily supported by Congress, or his Cabinet. Whether it was the Federalist represntatives, or those of the Democratic-republican party, Adams disagreed with them at some junctures. This division in Congress, and what sometimes seemed like a division between Congress and Adams, did not set a good example for the Americna people.

Perhaps the most positive doing of President Adams was his ability to secure peace with France. Although this decision was unpopular with the people of the States, and, ultimately, led to Adams losing the following Presidential election, it was definitely the best thing for the country. France, far mightier than America in the military at this time, would've had little trouble defeating America in the war that many American citizens wanted. So, Adams did what was best for his country, whether the people realized it or not: He sought peace. Even though it was not the best thing for his reputation, and his chances at being reelected, Adams's obtainment of peace was indeed the best thing for his nation.

The decision that Adams made that seemed to have the most negative outcome was the passing of the Alien & Sedition Acts. Although it is believed that Adams never signed a deportation order, these acts did cause many to question, and oppose, the Federalist party. These acts would eventually cause an even further divide between the American population and their democratic viewpoints. And the worst part of this situation for Adams is that he neither wrote, nor endorsed, the Alien & Sedition Acts. This not only caused disunity in the American people, but also caused a disunity inside the Federalist party (which would contribute to Adams's failure to be reelected).

Adams's presidency did have a little influence on future presidency's, mainly that of his successor, Thomas Jefferson. His presidency effected Jefferson's because it caused Jefferson's first term to not be plagued by many urgent problems, as Jefferson had very few substantial problems to deal with when entering office. Subsequently, Adam's presidency could have had a major effect on the American people, and the lives of themselves and their ancestors, as who knows what different shape America would've been in if Adams wouldnt've obtained peace with France, and went to war with a force they would've, most likely, not have been able to handle.

America did not really change much from before Adams's term to after it. The main difference was the increased tension between the political parties, and between the citizens because of their democratic beliefs. Nevertheless, other than that, America didn't really change substantially under Adams. Some might say that's a good thing, while some might suggest it's a bad thing. However, again, Adams being able to assure peace with France put America in a better situation then what would've most likely happened if America would've went to war with France. So, the nation seemed to be in pretty good condition when Adams's term ended. That is why John Adams should be given a grade of a B as President of the United States.

(#1) Religion In 1799, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first black ordained Methodist Episcopal Church was created in Philadelphia. This shows how, blacks, (very) slowly but surely, were starting to obtain certain priviledges in America. This now included the ability to have their own church. In 1800, a Methodist camp meeting, the earliest known to occur in America, took place. The Methodist denomination of Christianity was now starting to take strides in the United States. (These events in the development of religion seem to have had no major effect on the presidency of John Adams.)

"History of American Religion: Timeline 1600 - 2004." //Agnosticism / Atheism - Skepticism & Atheism for Atheists & Agnostics//. Web. 10 Sept. 2011. [].

"John Adams: Inaugural Address." //The American Presidency Project//. Web. 10 Sept. 2011. .

"John Adams." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 10 Sept. 2011. [].

Photograph. Web. [].

"Thomas Jefferson." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 10 Sept. 2011. .