vcczar Posted September 7 Share Posted September 7 Pres. John Adams of MA would certainly have even more actions if I included the Revolutionary period. You'll note he breaks with Federalists late in life, but the cracks show in his presidency. I think the split happens unofficially c. 1808 when his son JQ Adams breaks with them. Adams writes a letter that sort of hints that he hadn't felt attached to the party for awhile at the time. Adams, John 1788 Candidate for Pres but considered strongest bet for VP; comes in second in election as predicted Adams, John 1789 Inaugurated as the first vice president Adams, John 1789 Proposes exalted titles for the Presidency (His Highness), etc. Adams, John 1789 Tie-breaking vote blocks attempt to require Senate consent for removing exec branch officers Adams, John 1790 Tie-breaking vote blocks NYC as permanent capital, allowing DC plan to push forward Adams, John 1792 Reelected as VP; during tenture of both terms casts 29 tie--breaking votes Adams, John 1796 Wins 1796 election, but lands w/ Jefferson as VP Adams, John 1797 Retains Washington's cabinet on taking office, as no precedence to name new cabinet exists Adams, John 1797 Signs treaties w/ Barbary States that were begun by Washington admin Adams, John 1798 Signs the four Alien & Sedition Acts Adams, John 1798 Appoints Washington as Gen-in-Chief and Hamilton as Washington's #2 Adams, John 1798 Signs bill creating Dept of the Navy Adams, John 1798 Reluctantly informs Congress of XYZ Affair, leads to Quasi-War w/ France Adams, John 1798 Signs health care bill for sick and disabled seamen, first socialized medicine in US Adams, John 1798 Moderate among Federalists in domestic Jacobin threat hysteria Adams, John 1798 signs bill creating MS Terr. Adams, John 1798 Signs Direct Tax bill to help pay for Quasi-War; results in Fries Rebellion Adams, John 1799 Authorizes peace mission to France, which upsets his pro-war party Adams, John 1799 Appoints Bushrod Washington to the SC Adams, John 1800 Appoints Alfred Moore to the SC Adams, John 1800 Unilaterall removes Hamilton cronies (Pickering and McHenry) from his cabinet in first exec removals ever Adams, John 1800 Upsets his party by disbanding Hamilton's army (Hamilton having taken over for deceased Washington) Adams, John 1800 Pardons those involved in Fries Rebellion who opposed Direct Tax of 1798 Adams, John 1800 Subject to public attack by fellow-Federalist Hamilton Adams, John 1800 Defeated in reelection bid, coming in 3rd place Adams, John 1800 signs bill creating IN Terr. Adams, John 1800 Signs the first US Bankruptcy Act Adams, John 1800 Becomes first president to live in the White House and to preside in DC Adams, John 1800 Signs bill establishing a Library of Congress, an idea promoted by Madison for years Adams, John 1801 Appoints John Marshall as Chief Justice of the SC Adams, John 1801 Secures peace with France via treaty Adams, John 1801 Signs the Judiciary Act of 1801 (Midnight Judges Act) Adams, John 1801 Does not attend Jefferson's inauguration but allows first peaceful transfer of power to another party Adams, John 1812 Breaks w/ Federalists and supports War of 1812 and Madison's reelection Adams, John 1820 Presidential elector for James Monroe, breaking again with his former party Adams, John 1825 First former president to learn of his son become president in his own right (doesn't attend inauguration) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted September 7 Share Posted September 7 While I think you all know what I think of Jefferson, my opinion of Adams 1 fluctuates but generally is not high. That said, when it comes to actual "actions" I think he can be said to have been pragmatic in a lot of cases, which I can respect, he just lacked... I'm not sure what the word I'm looking for is, political acumen maybe. If you could take John Adams' choices and marry them to Thomas Jefferson's public image, I think you'd probably have a universally ranked #1 president. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted September 7 Share Posted September 7 Just now, OrangeP47 said: While I think you all know what I think of Jefferson, my opinion of Adams 1 fluctuates but generally is not high. That said, when it comes to actual "actions" I think he can be said to have been pragmatic in a lot of cases, which I can respect, he just lacked... I'm not sure what the word I'm looking for is, political acumen maybe. If you could take John Adams' choices and marry them to Thomas Jefferson's public image, I think you'd probably have a universally ranked #1 president. TL;DR: I like what he did but he was a friendless loser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willthescout7 Posted September 7 Share Posted September 7 I love John Adams, one of my all time favorite Presidents. Nothing anyone says could change that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted September 7 Author Share Posted September 7 1 hour ago, Willthescout7 said: I love John Adams, one of my all time favorite Presidents. Nothing anyone says could change that He might be the only president to seek peace in a war when a member of the pro-war party. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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