The Adams Dynasty and their impact on the U.S.
The Adams family had two presidents, ambassador, and a member of the state legislature, lawyers. If that’s not impactful, nothing is. Although many of the Adams family were politically and socially involved, not everyone made a difference. The Adams lineage is a large one that impacted the U.S. greatly. Their impact on the history of U.S. is very significant because with two presidents and a politically involved family it’s almost impossible to not have one. The Adams family in America has historical roots from the emigration of Henry Adams, who married Edith Squire and got settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Adams, the second president of America, was the son of second Joseph Adam and Hannah Bass Adam. On 25th October 1764, John Adam married Abigail. Their descendants have influenced life for more than two centuries. John Quincy, their son, became the sixth president.
John Adams was one of the Founding Fathers of Unites States, the first vice-president (1789-1797) and second president of America (1797-1801). He was born on 30th October’ 1734 in Braintree, Massachusetts. His father was a respected farmer. Adams got his education from Harvard College in 1755. He then taught in school for several years and studied law. John Adam began his career as a lawyer and defended the British soldiers successfully, who were involved in Boston Massacre in 1770, to ensure that the innocents were protected. The Stamp Act was passed in 1765 by the British government according to which the American colonies had to pay tax on various items like licenses, documents, degrees and many others. These had to be printed on stamped paper which meant that the American colonies were bound to pay extra amount for every printed paper even the newspaper. The widespread protest by the colonists created a critical situation. Adams was shocked by the violence of the mob but still opposed the Stamp Act as it was a measure by the parliament without the consent of the colonists. “Protesting the stamp act was unconstitutional without colonists’ consent Adams played an important role” (“Adams, John (1735-1826)” written by Peter Shaw). 1 Next four years he worked in Massachusetts legislature, after which he elected as a member of the Continental Congress during the time of American Revolution which drafted the Declaration of Independence.John Adam had a lead role in the independence of the thirteen American colonies that were at war with Britain.“Declaration of independence, they turned to Congress none gave more help than Adams” (“John Adams: a life” written by John Ferling Pg. 145). 2 Jefferson admitted that Adams was colossus on the floor for the declaration of independence” (“Adams, John (1735-1826)” written by Peter Shaw).3Adams was elected as president in 1796 elections.“John Adams: a life” written by John tells about the major events during his lifetime including the XYZ Affair, alien and sedition acts, the Federalist impact, involvement with Great Britain, his diplomacy, and the declaration of independence. Adam’s major achievement was to settle the war situation between America and France. At the time when Adam was declared president, the French were making raids on American ships, and the relations were greatly stressed. Adam sent three ministers to France in 1797 with some proposals to normalize the situation, but it turned into a failure. In return, the French Minister Talleyrand demanded $250,000 to resolve the situation. This event was known as XYZ Affair and raised uproar by mob against France. “XYZ Affair has sent war fever and
National hysteria” (Pg. 363).4 Adam immediately sent another group of ministers who successfully made a peace treaty with France by giving them special trading privileges. John Adam passed the Alien and Sedition Acts as a response to the criticism against the government. “A Sedition Act was designed to assure the pure sentiments and good principles” (Pg. 365).5The act prevented people from speaking against the government and any riots or interference with officers would be punished. In the elections of 1800 Adam was defeated by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney after which he lived a retired life in Quincy. Sixteen months before he died, his son John Quincy Adams was elected as sixth president of America.
Abigail Adams (1744-1818) was the wife of John Adams. She is best known for her prolific letter writing to her husband about the war leading to a new government while living in Philadelphia. She used to write letters whenever a ship was leaving to John Adams.In one of the letters, she asked whether it was safe to send the letters as she feared that they may be captured by the English and misused or made fun of by the enemies. “Abigail questioned her caution in the letters were captured by the English” (pg.96).6She was active in politics and John used to take her advice in many matters.She was the first woman to preside over the White House. She was not only a great support to her husband but also raised her children well. The women did not have rights during her time and she supported them and believed in equal rights and education for women (“Abigail Adams witness to a revolution” written by Natalie S. Bober).7She strongly believed that laws should be made by government keeping women’s rights in view. Women should not be a symbol of mere decorous companion to husbands, but they should get an education and should be recognized for their qualities. Abigail wrote letters to her husband during revolution and in one of them addressed to “remember the ladies” while making laws of the nation. Abigail Adams emphasized towards the role of women in America and discussed that they should not be considered inferior and all the decision-making powers should not be given solely to husbands as if this happens all men would become dictators and women will eventually rebel.“Remember all men would be tyrants if they could ladies are determined to form a rebellion”. She also mentions that women should not join the government or have a real voice in it (“Abigail Adams praises colonial women” by Gale U.S. History in Context, 2014).8She died from illness in 1818.
John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, became America’s sixth president from 1825 to 1829. He served as a diplomat and played an important role in the Treaty of Ghent, which resolved the War of 1812. When he was appointed as secretary of state he dealt with issues with Britain over the northern border of America with Canada “U.S. and Great Britain had conflicting boundaries that Adams helped settle”. He worked for the annexation of Florida by negotiating with Spain and made a draft of Monroe Doctrine“ Adams would labor to President Monroe few qualities of being secretary of state” (Pg. 249).9 After his election as a president, Quincy Adams promoted education in America and carried out numerous works in order to modernize American economy. He became the primary supporter of Congress to set up Smithsonian Institution.The benefit of government funding projects like the Erie Canal, John Quincy Adams argued in front of congress that more government projects would strengthen the economy and influence the developing nation (“John Quincy Adams argues for funding of major projects, 1825” by Gale U.S. History in Context Gale Groups, 2014).10As compared to Great Britain, France and Russia the American government were not working much on exploration and science. Their government sent out explorers to explore the world, has astronomers to search the heavens but the Americans had no such advancements. John Quincy was concerned about the internal improvement and argued that they had costs but barely visited and the territories were not explored “Territories imperfectly explored coasts along many degrees but barely visited”. Although some may consider John Quincy Adams presidency the low point in his political career he still had an outside of the presidency impact as well as a lasting impact after his term (“The John Quincy Adams Administration” written by Ed Kelle S. sisung and Gerard Ann). 11“The John Quincy Adams Administration” says that John Q. Adams had a weak presidency as both the houses of Congress were against him, so it was almost impossible for him to get something passed “Adams became the first president to face a hostile majority in Congress”. However in his presidency he did manage to fund for the national road and other things) “the national road extended during Adams presidency and the Erie Canal opened”. John Q. Adams had a significant impact on America after his presidency when he joined the House of Representatives and before when he was secretary of state (“John Quincy Adams a public life a private life” by Paul C. Nagel). 12He used his role in Congress and fought for the right to petition and against a war to expand slavery (pg.259). He opposed the “gag rule” by Southern representatives. In conclusion, “John Quincy Adams a Public Life a Private Life” says that although he was such a political figure in his president term was a failure. But with a failed presidency he made up for it as secretary of state, minister, and representative of the house. So it was clear where he got his political importance.
The Adam dynasty had a great impact on American history. John Adam did not have a direct political knowledge as his father was a farmer, but his political devotion and intellect as a lawyer and the later president had influential effects in the development of the new nation. His wife, Abigail Adams was a very talented lady herself who helped her husband in political affairs along with raising her children to a bright future. Their son, John Quincy Adams became the sixth president of America. He had sound knowledge about politics, world affairs and religion and used to accompany his father on political trips from a very young age. The contributions of John Adam before and during his presidency from opposing Stamp Act, role in Boston Massacre and declaration of independence act to work in signing treaty with France and other acts to protect government were very important in America’s development as a nation. Moreover, John Quince’s efforts in education, science and economy revolutionized America.
Today America is dominated and owned by a hierarchy of influential families. These families are pillars that have shaped America as one of the finest nation. Adams Dynasty is one of those. John Adams has hundreds of descendants, and many of them have contributions not only in politics but also in the field of medicine. Abigail Adams Smith diagnosed surgery for breast cancer.The efforts of a strong politician and an intelligent lady have laid such impact that its reflection is seen in the culture of the American nation. Although none of the current descendants are famous, but the elite family has a history of producing national heroes and will in future too be respected with the glory, it owns.
"Adams, John (1735–1826)." American Eras. Vol. 4: Development of a Nation, 1783-1815. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 234-236. U.S. History in Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2015
Ferling, John E. John Adams: A Life. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1992. Print.
"Adams, John (1735–1826)." American Eras. Vol. 4: Development of a Nation, 1783-1815. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 234-236. U.S. History in Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2015
Ferling, John E. John Adams: A Life. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1992. Print.
Ferling, John E. John Adams: A Life. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1992. Print.
Ferling, John E. John Adams: A Life. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1992. Print.
Bober, Natalie. Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1995. Print.
"Adams, John (1735–1826)." American Eras. Vol. 4: Development of a Nation, 1783-1815. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 234-236. U.S. History in Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2015
Nagel, Paul C. John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life. New York: Knopf, 1997. Print.
"John Quincy Adams Argues for Government Funding of Major Projects, 1825." Gale U.S. History in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2014. U.S. History in Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
"The John Quincy Adams Administration." Presidential Administration Profiles for Students. Ed. Kelle S. Sisung and Gerda-Ann Raffaelle. Detroit: Gale, 2002. U.S. History in Context. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
Nagel, Paul C. John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life. New York: Knopf, 1997. Print.
Works Cited
Abigail Adams Praises Colonial Women." Gale U.S. History in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2014. U.S. History in Context.Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
"Adams, John (1735–1826)." American Eras. Vol. 4: Development of a Nation, 1783-1815. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 234-236. U.S. History in Context.Web. 23 Mar. 2015
Bober, Natalie. Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1995. Print.
Ferling, John E. John Adams: A Life. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1992. Print.
"John Quincy Adams Argues for Government Funding of Major Projects, 1825." Gale U.S. History in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2014. U.S. History in Context.Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
Nagel, Paul C. John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life. New York: Knopf, 1997. Print.
"The John Quincy Adams Administration."Presidential Administration Profiles for Students.Ed. Kelle S. Sisung and Gerda-Ann Raffaelle. Detroit: Gale, 2002. U.S. History in Context.Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
