Biography of John Adams

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 and was an American politician. Adams was elected second President of the United States having served from 1797-1801 and was America's first Vice President (1789-1797) for two terms. President Adams is seen as one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States.

President Adams first came into prominence during the early stages of the American Revolution. He served as a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress and played a leading role in Congress adopting the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776. Adams served as a representative of Congress in Europe where he was a major negotiator of the peace treaty with Great Britain, and was chiefly responsible for obtaining loans from Amsterdam.

Adams's credentials allowed him to secure two terms as George Washington's vice president and win his own election as second president of the United States. During his first term as president, he became frustrated with his own Federalist party and signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts. His major accomplishments include the peaceful resolution to the Quasi-War crisis with France in 1798.

Adams was defeated for reelection by President Thomas Jefferson, allowing him to retire to Massachusetts.

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