Nate+T.+-+JA+-+FA09


 * Name -** John Adams Jr. Second President of the United States of America
 * Birth date -** October 30, 1735
 * Death -** On July 4, 1826 (90 years old)
 * Political Party -** running as a Federalist
 * Term as president -** 1797 to 1801 Adams served one term as president
 * Vice President -** Thomas Jefferson served the one term with Adams 1797 to 1801

Though Adams was Washington's vice president and mostly tried to carry on the ideas that Washington had established already I give his presidency a low B for many reasons of the most prominent I would pull out the fact that he kept the old cabinet even though argument had aroused between Hamilton and Jefferson during Washingtons term. He did however by keeping the old cabinet, which was controlled by Hamilton, showed that the transition of Presidents was not as frightening as some citizens believed. Adams himself stated that "I had then no particular object of any of them." which would change through his presidency.

Adams goals where mainly the same as President Washinton's. He pushed civic virtue, and made an example of himself by never being connected to any scandal. Once again followed Washinton's lead in trying to make the presidency an example of republic values. Again following Washington's foot steps he pushed to stay out of the French and British war. Which turned out to be harder than expected because ,of Frances help in securing America from the British, France had the popularity of many in America. He did quite well in making sure they stayed out of the dispute between France and Britain, but at the same time told congress to augument the navy in case of diplomatic failure.

Adams relationship with congress went from good to bad as things started to heat up around the French and British war. On one side of congress stood Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans who whole heartedly supported France because of there help in the Revolutionary war. While on the other side there was alexander Hamilton and the federalists who supported Britain. All the while Adams staying nuetral and not choosing a side. Adams during his presidency signed off on basically everything as well as the alein and sedition acts.

Adams presidency had one big positive outcome and that was staying out of war with France or Britain. Adams knew and stressed the fact that as a new and growing nation we needed time to grow and build. He used diplomacy first always but at the same time tells congress to ready the navy in case hostilities mught arise where they where needed. Though still stressing peace and nuetrality in the war he put Washington in charge of the army and, to his regret, Alexander Hamilton was appointed as second in command of the army. Though the citizens thought that we should support france in the war because of their help in the revolution Adams did not give in and pressed on with Washingtons plans that had been laid down while he was vice president. The "Quasi war" which was an undeclared naval battles over the X,Y,Z affair where france refused to be diplomatic and the stealing of US merchant ships. This also was a factor to why the American citizens stopped supporting France. Not until febuary 1799 when Adams sent William Murray to peace mission to France was terms restored between France and America.

Adams worst decision as president was to allow the alein and sedition acts which where at best unconstitutional. While boasting of freedom to other countrys we take away a person right to free speech agianst the government with the sedition act. If you where forgein and born in the united states you where not considered a citizen till age 14 and did not get all the rights of a american citizen. Though these acts where apealed they still left a mark on history in Adams Presidency.

If one thing can be taken from Adams presidency it would be that he alwasy stayed nuetral he didnt interact with the other countrys wars or aguments. Adams always was diplomacy first in everything he did he did hold a army in the other hand whie diplomacy in the other but diplomacy was first. Such as today we have a very powerful army but we try to be diplomatic in our approach to arguments in or about our country.

All and all Adams may have made many mistakes such as signing off on the Alien and Sedition acts which where unconstitutional in our society today, and keeping the old cabinet that already had arguments during Washingtons term. He aslo started political parties such as federalists and Democrat- republican. The major thing that makes Adams a low B rated president was the fact that all in all he kept this country from entering a war which could of been a serious blow to our young nation at the time.


 * Quote by John Adams Jr.** " Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases."


 * Bibliography**
 * 1) "Biography of John Adams." __Welcome to the White House__. 8 Sep. 2009 .
 * 3) "American President: John Adams." __Miller Center of Public Affairs__. 8 Sep. 2009 <http://millercenter.org/academic