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Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 12250
Meet the bold Founding Father who defended redcoats, helped build a nation, and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind—John Adams is anything but boring!
Meet a Founding Father Who Didn't Follow the Crowd
Imagine standing in the middle of a noisy Boston street, with angry colonists shouting and British soldiers gripping their muskets. Tensions are high, and one wrong move could spark disaster.
That’s the world John Adams lived in—and he didn’t just watch history happen. He helped shape it.
But here’s the twist: While many patriots were demanding freedom from Britain, Adams took a surprising stand. He defended British soldiers in court after the Boston Massacre!
You’re about to find out.
Get ready to explore the exciting and complicated life of John Adams—lawyer, revolutionary, diplomat, president, and justice-seeker. He helped start a new country and stood up for what was right, even when it wasn’t popular.
The Life and Legacy of John Adams
From Farmer’s Son to Freedom Fighter
John Adams was born in 1735 in Massachusetts. He grew up on a farm and dreamed of doing something big.
He became a lawyer and soon started speaking out against the unfair taxes and rules that Britain placed on the American colonies.
Even though he didn’t agree with how Britain treated the colonies, Adams also didn’t support violent protests. He didn’t like the Boston Tea Party and thought dumping tea into the harbor wasn’t the best way to solve problems.
The Boston Massacre: Standing Up for Fairness
One of Adams’s boldest moves came after the Boston Massacre in 1770.
British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five colonists. People were furious. But Adams believed everyone deserves a fair trial, even people on the other side.
So he defended the soldiers in court—and won! That moment showed his strong belief in justice over popularity.
Big Moves at the Continental Congress
In 1774, Adams became a delegate to the First Continental Congress. He played a major role in getting the colonies ready for independence.
He suggested George Washington as commander of the Continental Army and asked Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. Those were two game-changing decisions!
Off to France… and Back Again
During the Revolutionary War, Adams traveled to Europe to get help. He worked with Benjamin Franklin and others to convince France to support the American cause.
Thanks to their efforts, France gave money, supplies, and soldiers to help the colonies win.
When the war ended, Adams helped write the Treaty of Paris, officially making the United States a free and independent nation.
Ambassador, Vice President, and President
After the war, Adams became the first American ambassador to Great Britain. Then, he returned home and served as vice president under George Washington.
Later, Adams became the second president of the United States. Not everything went smoothly.
During his presidency, he signed the Alien and Sedition Acts—laws that gave the government more power over immigrants and limited what people could say about the government. Many Americans thought these laws were unfair, and Adams lost support.
Friends and Rivals: A Famous Friendship
One of the most interesting parts of Adams’s life was his long friendship—and rivalry—with Thomas Jefferson.
The two argued, stopped talking, and then became pen pals later in life. They both died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Talk about timing!
Why He Still Matters Today
John Adams helped create the country America is today. He believed in justice, fairness, and standing up for what was right—even when others disagreed.
His choices shaped American democracy and showed what it means to be a true leader.
Head to the Got It? section to practice what you’ve learned about John Adams, and prepare to explore how his work connects to your world today!
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