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President John Adams

John Adams

President John Adams: Short biography of President John Adams and the key events during his presidency.

Life of President Fast Fact File
John Adams (1735-1826), nicknamed the "Colossus of Independence", was the 2nd American President and served in office from 1797-1801. The Presidency of John Adams spanned the period in United States history that encompasses the events of the New Nation. President John Adams represented the Federalist political party which influenced the domestic and foreign policies of his presidency.

The major accomplishments and the famous, main events that occurred during the time that John Adams was president included the Alien and Sedition Acts (1798), the XYZ Affair (1797), Judiciary Act of 1801 (Midnight Judges) and the Quasi War. John Adams was a firm supporter of the French Revolution (1789-1799). The Second Great Awakening also occurred during his presidency, a Christian revivalist movement that sparked social reform groups. John Adams died of heart failure on July 4, 1826, aged 90. The next president was Thomas Jefferson.

Birthday: October 30, 1735

Place of Birth: Braintree, Massachusetts

Political Party: Federalist 

Nickname: Colossus of Independence

Number: 2nd President

Vice President: Thomas Jefferson

Age at Inauguration: 61

Height: 5 feet 6 inches

Weight: 150 lbs

First Lady: Abigail Adams

Religion: Unitarian

Date of Death: July 4, 1826

Date of John Adams Presidency: March 4, 1797 to March 4, 1801

The Nickname of John Adams: Colossus of Independence
The nickname of President John Adams provides an insight into how the man was viewed by the American public during his presidency. The meaning of the nickname Colossus of Independence refers to his important role in gaining the freedom and independence of America. Another well known nickname of John Adams is "Old Sink or Swim", that illustrates the character of the man,  taken from a speech he made saying, "Sink or swim, survive or perish with my country, is my unalterable determination". His stocky build led to another less flattering nickname " His Rotundity" or the more kindly Bonny Johnny. 

Character and Personality Type of John Adams
The character traits of President John Adams can be described as ambitious, determined, scholarly and volatile. It has been speculated that the Myers-Briggs personality type for John Adams is an ENTP (extroversion, intuition, thinking, perception). An outgoing character with a strong desire to improve the world they live in. John Adams Personality type: Loyal, innovative, flexible, rational and resourceful.

Accomplishments of John Adams and the Famous Events during his Presidency
The accomplishments of John Adams and the most famous events during his presidency are provided in an interesting, short summary format detailed below.

XYZ Affair
Summary of the XYZ Affair: The XYZ Affair involved a scandal surrounding French diplomats Hottinguer (X), Bellamy (Y), and Hauteval (Z) who attempted to bribe US government.

The Quasi War
Summary the Quasi War: The Quasi War  (July 7, 1798-September 30, 1800) was fought entirely at sea between the United States and the French. It was an unofficial, undeclared war and did not include military forces on land.

Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Summary of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798: The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 a series of laws relating to the rights of immigrants and  free speech.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Summary of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions: The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions involved the issue of States Rights and the resolutions were the first attempts to cancel actions taken by the central government.

Judiciary Act of 1801: Midnight Judges
Summary of the Judiciary Act of 1801: Midnight Judges: The Judiciary Act of 1801: Midnight Judges gave President Adams the power to appoint new judges, allowing him to appoint his Federalist supporters to the new offices in order to protect Federalist legislation from the rising Democratic-Republicans.

Second Great Awakening
Summary of the Second Great Awakening: The Second Great Awakening was a Christian revivalist movement that sparked social reform groups such as Women's suffrage, the Temperance Movement and the Anti-Slavery Abolitionist Movement.

Buying Freedom from Slavery
Summary: Slavery was re-invigorated during the presidency of John Adams following the invention of the Eli Whitney Cotton Gin and the Samuel Slater Cotton Mill and more slaves became intent on looking for ways of Buying Freedom from Slavery

US American History
1790-1800: The New Nation

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Updated 2018-01-01

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