John Adams

  Today in class we started the lesson on John Adams, the Second President of the United States.  This is the last portion of Unit I, and starting next Tuesday we will begin Unit II.

    We saw how Adams was a very complex man who had strengths and weaknesses. Some of his greatest strengths were also his greatest flaws, i.e. his stubbornness. Some Americans thought that he should assume the role as President because he was the V.P. and a qualified leader.  Others felt as though Thomas Jefferson should become the next President.  The election had the two former friends pitted against each other to get the most important job in the nation.

      When he assumed the power as President in 1796 it was under interesting circumstances.  Never before had the country had to choose from two different candidates.   The elections results showed the country was pretty evenly split between the two men. With some behind the scenes help from Alexander Hamilton, John Adams assumed the position as President of the United States.

The following are the BIG Picture questions that are important for the lesson

   Hopefully you will be able to explain the following:

1. What role did Alexander Hamilton play in the election of 1796?

2. What two political parties have formed in the U.S.?

3. What portion of the United States supported Jefferson? Who supported Adams?

4. How did this election show there was a problem with the election method?

If you can answer all of those, or three of the four, you are in great shape.  Questions to understand why Adams had such a tough time as President are a little different.  Try and answer these.

1. Why did Jefferson and Republicans believe that Adams was  more concerned about the Federalists?

2. How did the Federalist Party betray Adams?

3. How did John Adams attempt to avoid a war with France?