Lauren+-+JA+-+SP09

=**John Adams**=

Born: October 30, 1735 Death: July 4, 1826 Term: 3/4/1797 - 3/3/1801 Number of Terms: 1 Political Party: Federalist Vice President: Thomas Jefferson John Adams was born in Braintree, Massachusets. As a child, he was interested in attending Harvard to become a minister. Adams went to Harvard and graduated with a bachelors degree in arts in 1755, where he then studied law under James Putnam of Worcester. At age 28, Adams married Abigail Smith who would eventually become a heroine of the women's liberation movement. Abigail also became the first lady to preside over the White House. Because of Adams interest in also studying law, Adams willingly took over the case of the British soldiers in the Boston Massacre who were charged with murder. Adams believed the soldiers were innocent and later believed that it is more important to protect the innocent than to punish the guilty. In 1774, Adams was elected the Massachusets delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1782, he went to Paris to attempt to make a peace treaty with the British. Adams was elected vice president for George Washington during his presidency.

John Adams may not have been voted the most popular president during this time, however he still deserves B for his term in presidency. During his term, Adams pushed for peace with France, ultimately led a peaceful purchase of Louisiana for Thomas Jefferson, and established four very important acts during his presidency.

John Adams goals for presidency was to keep a strong, central government, just like how Washington enforced it. He also believed that France was the primary enemy to America and wanted to end the dispute between the two countries. Because Washington was considered "pro-Britian," this left Adams with a major controversy. This meant that the French believed during Washington's presidency that the Americans were "stepping towards an alliance with Britian," who is Frances main enemy. Many French ships begam to seize American vessels, however, Adams remained anti-war. Adams followed Washington's "no-war" policy and developed the idea of a peace treaty. Adams sent Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry to speak to the French foreign minister Talleyrand. Talleyrand demanded $250,000 before he could even speak to the three men. This made Adams very furious and almost made him declare war against France. Adams maintained his anger and luckily still remained anti-war. He sent another group of three men, Bellamy, Hauteval and Hottinger in hopes that Talleyrand would treat his men respectfully. France accepted the United States neutrality rights at sea and led to France now coming a main trading partner with America. This treaty, issued by Adams, allowed America and France to have a peaceful relationship still seen today.

Because Adams was against war, and had already succesfully made peace with France, his push for peace allowed another peaceful relationship with Napolean. This relationship would allow Jefferson to easily purchase Louisiana from him. Napolean wanted to build his own empire in Louisiana, so by Jefferson buying the land, this enabled America to keeping their land and starting new settlements without the French. If it weren't for Adams, Jefferson may not have ever been able to buy Louisiana.

During Adams term, he established four important acts which were generally to enforce a stricter policy of "aliens." The first act, the Naturalization Act, made it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens. The Alien Act allowed the president to deport any aliens he thought were dangerous. The Alien Enemy Act also allowed the president to imprison any enemy aliens during a war. The last act, the Sedition Acts, permitted the president to fine or imprison anyone who would write, publish, or print any thing negative towards the government. If it weren't for these strict policies, anyone could be settling in the colonies even it they were dangerous. However, these acts were very unpopular with the colonists because they believe it violated the Constitution.

Adams had a fairly good relationship with the two houses and Congress. Since both houses and Congress were made up of a majority of Federalists, they could easily agree with Adams and what he wanted to happen. However, there were a few who did not respect him. Alexander Hamilton did not like Adams because he believed he was too independent and too unpredictable. Hamilton's goal was to make he Secretary of State, Timothy Pickering, president. Adams found out that Pickering was conspiring with Hamilton and Adams dismissed him along with the Secretary of Treasuryy, Oliver Wolcott, and the Secretary of War, James McHenry, who both criticized Adams behind his back. Most of Congress however, did like Adams and passed him four Alien Acts; The Naturalization Act, Alien Act, Alien Enemy Act, and the Seidition Acts.

John Adams administration passed the four major acts known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. They also put together 20,000 soliders in case America would have gone to war with France before the treaty was established. The United States Neutrality Act had the most positive outcome and was very influential because it stopped a potential war between America and France and put together a road for the purchasing of Louisiana by Thomas Jefferson in 1800. Because of the act, France also became a major trading partner with America which was very beneficial. The Sedition Acts had the most negative outcome for the colonists because they believed it was violating their rights and going against the Constitution. 10 writers/printers were charged and arrested for breaking this act. The most famous, Luther Baldwin, who wrote "that he did not care if they fired through [the president's] arse."

John Adams was a fairly good president, even though he was not the most liked. Adams deserves a B for his role as a president because he made a peaceful relationship with France which gave America another trading partner, he cleared the path for the successful purchase of Louisiana, and passed laws that would enforce a stricter policy with aliens.

Books: Degregorio William A. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. New Jersey: Barricade Books Inc. 2005. The American Pageant

Websites: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams#Presidency:_1797.E2.80.931801