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John Adams B. October 30th 1735 D. July 4th 1826 //In Office: March 4, 1797 - March 4, 1801 // //Vice President: Thomas Jefferson Political Party: Federalist //  Looking back on John Adams, one should view him as much more than the second president of the United States. Alongside his contemporaries Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin, John Adams has been dubbed one of the nations most influential founding fathers guiding the fledgling colonies to independence. He took the ever unpopular role of representing the soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre, nevertheless winning him respect. He wrote the highly influential publication “  __ Thoughts on Government __   ” and signed the Declaration of Independence. However, when examining solely his presidency history reveals only a mediocre administration with some admirable achievements but some contemptible acts near tyranny. While building up our navy and delaying the onset of war with a European power, the Adams' administration enacted the restrictive Alien and Sedition Acts as well as the Naturalization Act. For these achievements and blunders, should Adams receive a C+. 

 Adams entered in to his term as president as the forerunner to the Federalist Party. While Washington was a proponent of the Federalist cause he did not run under the party- ergo Adams was the first and only president to run under the Federalist banner. Adams immediately set to work instilling the country with a sense of civic virtue to uphold the republicanism that the fledgling nation was founded on. The Federalists ran on the pretense to uphold Jay's Treaty as a means to propitiate peaceful relation with the now amicable British. The Treaty faced a lot of due controversy. Drafted by founding fathers John Jay and George Washington, the agreement allowed American ships to be boarded and searched for British contraband. In return, the British would begin slowly removing their forces from forts in the Northwest Territories. This measure was popular among Federalists who did not want a casus-belli with Great Britain. However the Democratic-Republicans did not think it constitutional. Adams maintained this document favoring the English over the French. In hind sight the measure may have evaded war with England for a few years buying precious time for the colonies to raise an army and defenses. Conversely, Jay's Treaty ultimately infringed upon civil liberties. In the words of Benjamin Franklin: “Any society that would give up a little liberty, to gain a little security would deserve neither and loose both”.   One could say Adams settled into his presidency with ease as he coexisted with the 5th Continental Congress with it's Federalist majority. Looking back, this made proved for law making team that would pass some disconcertingly unconstitutional legislation. Thus the Alien and Sedition Acts were signed into law by Adams. The Alien Enemies Act allowed government the power to deport any citizen from a country the United States were at war with. Adams signed the Sedition Act giving the ability to fine or imprison those who published  "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials. History will look back on these acts as nothing short of heresy themselves to the very notion of constitution, republicanism, and liberal expression. What Adams signed into law was little more than a temporary revocation of First Amendment rights and the idea of American as melting pot of cultures. While enacted at a time with many divisive opinions on America's relation to Europe, these despotic measures were authoritarian in nature and took away the very rights fought for in the revolution.

If the Alien and Sedition Acts were a strike against Adams, his position towards national defense can not be denied as an intelligent decision in America's best interest. He named his predecessor George Washington as command  er of the new army. Washington had proved to be a brilliant if not charismatic leader. Congress established a standing army under Adams and he commissioned the construction of 6 frigates among them the formidable Constellation. It was by the Adam's administration that the struggling country could defend itself again other European sea-powers. To make these expenditures congress was forced to raise taxes. With Adams' help, congress passed the House Tax - the first federal property tax. At this, dissentful citizens rioted in the House Tax Rebellion. Unlike in Shay's rebellion, the strong Federalist government smashed the protests. Adams remarked saying the rebels of German ancestry were “as ignorant of our language as they were of our laws” later granting them amnesty. One can only agree as a nation's defense is undoubtedly the foremost job of government. 

 It would not be fair to mention Adams without mentioning the lasting effect he created when dealing with the “XYZ affair”. When French agents demanded a large sum of money for their aid in the revolution, congress replied with a resounding “no” saying they'd spend “"Millions for defense,... but not one cent for tribute." This arrogant demand by the French came as an affront to the American people and ushered in more support for the Federalist cause. This started a “quasi-war” with France further supporting the Adams' idea of bolstering the army and navy. This decision proved brilliant. It spent money that would have went to France on improving the military. After sporadic naval engagements Adams and his administration wanted to bury the hatchet. He sent three delegates to the Convention of 1800 to sign the Mortefontaine treaty. This move divided the Federalists and it would bring about Jefferson's presidency.

In summary, Adams' presidency was a C+ at best. No one can deny his influence and contributions as a founding father in the revolutionary period but his presidency seemed to reek of the corruption and autocratic power found in the very monarchies he defied. Our military was certainly better of with Adams policies and our modern navy has Adams to thank for bringing into existence. Though strained throughout his term, by the end of Adams time office America was at peace with her European counterparts. However the Alien and Sedition Acts were nothing short of an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. Between the highs and lows John Adams will be remembered as an extraordinary man that led only an ordinary presidency.

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