Honestly, following George Washington is basically a setup for failure. Imagine being the guy who has to take the stage after a rock star who just played the greatest set in history. That was the reality for John Adams, the man who became the 2nd president of the United States.
He didn't have Washington's height, his quiet "don't-mess-with-me" aura, or his knack for staying above the fray. Adams was short, a bit stout—his enemies literally called him "His Rotundity"—and he couldn't keep his mouth shut to save his life. But he was also the brain of the Revolution. If Washington was the sword and Jefferson was the pen, Adams was the engine.
The Stubborn Genius from Braintree
John Adams wasn't born into the Virginia aristocracy. He was a Massachusetts farm boy who loved books and had a chip on his shoulder the size of the Atlantic. You've probably heard he was "cranky." That’s putting it lightly. He was a prickly, brilliant, deeply insecure, and incredibly principled lawyer who once defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre because he believed everyone deserved a fair trial. Even if it made him the most hated man in Boston for a week.
He wasn't a "people person." While other politicians were busy shaking hands and building brands, Adams was usually in a room somewhere, writing a constitution or arguing why the colonies needed to break up with King George III.
Why the 2nd President Had the Hardest Job in History
When Adams took the oath in 1797, the country was a mess. The French Revolution had turned into a global nightmare, and the U.S. was caught right in the middle. The British were annoying, the French were seizing American ships, and back home, the first political parties were basically trying to rip each other's throats out.
🔗 Read more: The Night the Mountain Fell: What Really Happened During the Big Thompson Flood 1976
Adams was a Federalist, which meant he wanted a strong central government. His Vice President? None other than Thomas Jefferson—his former best friend and now his biggest political rival. Imagine a modern president having their losing opponent as their VP. It was a disaster waiting to happen.
The XYZ Affair: A Bribe Too Far
One of the wildest things that happened during his term was the XYZ Affair. Basically, Adams sent some diplomats to France to keep us out of war. The French officials (labeled X, Y, and Z in the reports) basically told the Americans, "If you want to talk to us, pay us a massive bribe first."
Adams was furious. The country was furious. Everyone wanted war. "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute" became the slogan of the day.
Adams did something totally unexpected: he built up the Navy but refused to declare a full-blown war. He kept it to a "Quasi-War" on the seas. It was a smart move that saved the country, but it made his own party hate him because they wanted a real fight.
💡 You might also like: The Natascha Kampusch Case: What Really Happened in the Girl in the Cellar True Story
The Massive Mistake: The Alien and Sedition Acts
You can't talk about the 2nd president without talking about his biggest failure. In 1798, fearing French spies and "subversive" immigrants, Adams signed the Alien and Sedition Acts.
These laws were essentially a direct attack on the First Amendment. They made it a crime to "print, utter, or publish... any false, scandalous and malicious writing" against the government. People were actually thrown in jail for making fun of Adams. It was a dark moment for American civil liberties and, frankly, it’s the main reason he only served one term.
A Marriage of Equals
If there's one thing that makes Adams relatable, it’s his marriage to Abigail Adams. She wasn't just his wife; she was his chief advisor. Because he was away so much—in Philadelphia, France, or London—they wrote over 1,100 letters to each other.
In these letters, Abigail didn't hold back. She famously told him to "Remember the Ladies" when drafting new laws. She was his "dearest friend," and honestly, he probably would have collapsed without her.
📖 Related: The Lawrence Mancuso Brighton NY Tragedy: What Really Happened
The Ending Nobody Expected
The 1800 election was brutal. Jefferson's team called Adams a "hideous hermaphroditical character." Adams' team called Jefferson an "atheist" who would burn Bibles. Jefferson won, and Adams was so bitter he skipped the inauguration.
But here's the crazy part. After years of silence, they started writing to each other again in their old age. They became friends again. They debated philosophy, complained about their health, and reflected on the country they built.
On July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—both men died. Adams’ last words were reportedly, "Thomas Jefferson survives." He didn't know Jefferson had died just a few hours earlier.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Adams Legacy
We often forget the 2nd president because he’s tucked between two giants. But his life offers some pretty sharp lessons for today:
- Principles over Popularity: Adams frequently made decisions that he knew would make him unpopular (like avoiding war with France) because he believed they were right for the nation.
- The Danger of Overreach: The Alien and Sedition Acts serve as a permanent warning about what happens when a government prioritizes "security" over fundamental rights.
- Keep Your Critics Close: His later-life reconciliation with Jefferson shows that even the deepest political divides can be bridged through communication.
- Document Everything: Much of what we know about the founding of the U.S. comes from the private letters and diaries Adams kept.
If you're interested in digging deeper into the mind of John Adams, your next step is to read a few of the Adams-Jefferson letters. They are surprisingly readable and give a much more human look at the Founders than any textbook ever could. You might also want to look into the Massachusetts State Constitution, which Adams wrote almost entirely by himself; it's the oldest functioning written constitution in the world today.