John+Adams+-+F08

=John Adams=

Federalist
John Adams represented the state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts had recently ratified the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which was drafted by John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Bowdoin. The constitution suggested that all men are created equal and the idea of a Senate and House of Representatives. Massachusetts then experienced Shay's rebellion from 1786-1787.

John Adams was became a lawyer after graduating Harvard College in 1755. He was elected to the Massachusetts Assembly in 1770. He served as diplomat of France from 1776-1779. He worked on forming the Massachusetts Constitution from 1779-1780. He then served as the U.S. Minister to the British Court from 1783-1788.

John Adams did not attend the Constitutional Convention. During the time of the Convention, Adams was in England, conducting diplomatic business.

John Adams also did not participate in the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention for similar reasons, but he was in favor of the Constitution.

Adams was the friend and mentor of Mercy Otis Warren. At different times, Adams was both allies and rivals with Thomas Jefferson. In order to do a thorough job, you will be given 1 period to do research and 1 period for the debate. Any work not completed in the library will need to be completed at home.
 * 1) Discover whether the character was a member of the state's ratifying convention and how he voted.
 * 2) Become totally familiar with the character's arguments for and against ratification. Also, be sure to identify who their friends and foes were.



__Sources__

 * Adams, John. //Foreign Commerce and Federal Union.// 1785.

"John Adams Quotes." Mark's Quotes. 2004. directNIC. 17 September 2008. 

“John Adams.” The White House. Washington. 9 September 2008. 

Kindig, Thomas. "John Adams." Signers of the Declaration of Independence. ushistory.org. 17 September 2008. 

"Ratification of the Constitution by the State of Massachusetts." 