John Adams (1735-1826)
John Adams, first vice president of the United States of America, was the second President from 1797 to 1801.
Attorney Adams started an early career as a journalist and wrote, among others, about the development of the colonies. In 1764 he married Abigail Smith who connected him with the high society.
Adams was very engaged in the independence from Great Britain and securing the colonies the rights they needed. Along with Franklin, Jefferson, Livingston, and Sherman he worked hard for the elaboration of the declaration of independence. He also took part in the development of the constitution in Massachusetts in 1780.
In the presidential election of 1796 Adams won over his adversary Thomas Jefferson with 71 to 68 votes and was officially inaugurated on March 4th of 1797.
Adam’s term in office was under the influence of the French Revolution and the war between the French and British. Another shadow over his mandate was the many intrigues he had to deal with. The capital of the USA was moved from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. and the two party systems with the federalists and republicans were developed.
After his time as the President of the United States of America, Adams retired from his political career.
Abigail Smith Adams (born 1744, * 1918)
Abigail was born in 1744. Like many other women during that time, she lacked formal education and started to read books on her own. This reading brought her closer to John Adams and the two of them got married in 1764.
Within 10 years the family grew larger. Abigail gave birth to three sons and two daughters and she stayed at home taking care of everything, when John was travelling.
After joining John Adams in Paris in 1784, where she observed the manners of the French with great interest, she and John returned to Massachusetts in 1788.
In 1791 Abigail’s health was not in the best condition and she had to slow down a little bit.
In 1801, when the government period for Adams was over, Abigail and John were enjoying a life in public, which they could not do before!