2nd Influence: a significant figure in our struggle for independence

John Adams influenced many people by being a significant figure in the struggle for American Independence. John Adams played a major role in the colonial movement toward independence. In 1774 Massachusetts called for representatives from each colony to meet in Philadelphia. Adams was 1 out of the 4 Massachusetts delegates at this meeting, later called the first continental congress. John Adams devoted himself entirely to the discussions that took place during the congress. In 1775, John Adams attended the 2nd continental congress. Adams argued that the colonies should be independent. He persuaded congress to organize the 16000 militiamen of New England as the continental army; he also brought about the appointment of George Washington as commander. John Adams also wrote the Massachusetts constitution in 1780. He also served as a diplomatic representative of congress in the 1780’s.

Congress chose John to be a member of the committee to prepare a declaration of Independence. John Adams defended the Declaration of Independence in a stormy debate that followed congress. In 1783, Adams was one of the negotiators who drew up the Treaty of Paris, which brought a victorious end to the Revolutionary War for the Americans. John Adams also served as the first U.S. minister to Britain from 1785 to 1788. Upon Adams return to America, Adams was chosen to serve as vice president under the country’s 1st president, George Washington. From 1789- 1797 John served in the Washington administration for 2 terms. I think that what made Adams want to focus on becoming president is the fact that Adams thought the position of vice president was “insignificant.”
Citations-
- "Adams, John (1735-1826)." UXL Biographies. Gale, 2003. Web. 25.Feb. 2010.
- Hutson, James H. “Adams, John” World Book Student. World Book, 2010. 25 Feb. 2010.
- "John Adams." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Gale, 1998. Web. 25 Feb. 2010.
Picture Cite- "Triumph of the Spirit." 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2010.