John Adams (October 30, 1735 (O.S. October 19, 1735) – July 4, 1826) was the second president of the United States (1797–1801), having earlier served as the first vice president of the United States. An American Founding Father, he was a statesman, diplomat, and a leading advocate of American independence from Great Britain. Well educated, he was an Enlightenment political theorist who promoted republicanism and wrote prolifically about his often seminal ideas, both in published works and in letters to his wife and key adviser Abigail as well as to other Founding Fathers.
Adams came to prominence in the early stages of the American Revolution. A lawyer and public figure in Boston, as a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, he played a leading role in persuading Congress to declare independence. He assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and was its primary advocate in the Congress. Later, as a diplomat in Europe, he helped negotiate the eventual peace treaty with Great Britain, and was responsible for obtaining vital governmental loans from Amsterdam bankers. A political theorist and historian, Adams largely wrote the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which together with his earlier Thoughts on Government, influenced American political thought. One of his greatest roles was as a judge of character: in 1775, he nominated George Washington to be commander-in-chief, and 25 years later nominated John Marshall to be Chief Justice of the United States.
Adams' revolutionary credentials secured him two terms as George Washington's vice president and his own election in 1796 as the second president. During his one term, he encountered ferocious attacks by the Jeffersonian Republicans, as well as the dominant faction in his own Federalist Party led by his bitter enemy Alexander Hamilton. Adams signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and built up the army and navy especially in the face of an undeclared naval war (called the "Quasi-War") with France, 1798–1800. The major accomplishment of his presidency was his peaceful resolution of the conflict in the face of Hamilton's opposition.
In 1800, Adams was defeated for re-election by Thomas Jefferson and retired to Massachusetts. He later resumed his friendship with Jefferson. He and his wife, Abigail Adams, founded an accomplished family line of politicians, diplomats, and historians now referred to as the Adams political family. Adams was the father of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. His achievements have received greater recognition in modern times, though his contributions were not initially as celebrated as those of other Founders.
Odd how history gets re-written to suite those in power's desire.
For a brief explanation of why only the first part of this sentence is ever (or nearly ever) quoted, have a look here: http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=125.
For a more in-depth look, try here: https://archive.org/stream/actspassedatfir00unit#page/42/mode/2up.
5:18am
comment on atheist quote:
The Government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion.
This is from the Treaty of Tripoli, written (in part) by John Adams, ratified by the US Senate in 1797.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Tripoli
4:15am
comment on atheist quote:
The Government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion.
I've seen this quote a lot, but never a reference. It is such an historically important quote (Christian advocates are continually saying this is a Christian Nation) that we should have the reference of where and when he said or wrote it. Hurd Hutchins
12:14am
comment on atheist quote:
The Government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion.
And yet we tolerate those who pray in schools and tolerate swearing witnesses in with a religious text.
8:14pm
comment on atheist quote:
The Government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion.