Omar Bennett
John Adams played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, advocating for independence and the establishment of a nation based on self-government. He was a strong supporter of constitutional government, influencing its development through his political writings and thought. Adams contributed to the creation of the Massachusetts Constitution, the world's oldest functioning written constitution, which served as a model for the United States Constitution. He emphasized constitutional principles such as the consent of the governed, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. While Adams supported the ratification of the United States Constitution, he expressed disappointment over the absence of a Declaration or Bill of Rights. His complex political views included support for a mixture of democratic, aristocratic, and monarchical features in government, as well as controversial stances on slavery and hereditary political institutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role in the First Continental Congress | Recognized the importance of government and criticized Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" |
| Views on Monarchy | Conveyed support for hereditary monarchy or aristocracy as preservers of laws and liberties; at other times, opposed monarchy |
| Views on Slavery | Spoke against a bill to emancipate slaves in Massachusetts, believing it was too divisive; opposed the use of Black soldiers in the Revolution |
| Influence on the Constitution | Played a pivotal role in the development of constitutional government; contributed through his writings and political thought |
| Absence from the Constitutional Convention | Served as Ambassador to Great Britain during the 1787 Constitutional Convention; actively participated from abroad |
| Support for the Constitution | Supported ratification of the Constitution and the addition of a Bill of Rights; emphasized the importance of a Declaration of Rights |
| Contributions to the Massachusetts Constitution | Primary author of the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution, which served as a model for the U.S. Constitution; included a Declaration of Rights and a Frame of Government |
| Framework for Government | Proposed a framework with three separate branches: executive, bicameral legislature, and independent judiciary |
| Influence on Other Constitutions | The U.S. Constitution, influenced by the Massachusetts Constitution, has served as a model for many nations' constitutions |
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What You'll Learn
John Adams' political writings
John Adams, a lawyer, writer, and member of the First Continental Congress, played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and the development of the constitutional form of government in the United States, both in his home state of Massachusetts and at the national level.
Adams' political writings reflect his belief in a constitutional, balanced, and representative government. He advocated for a system that included three separate branches: an executive, a bicameral (two-house) legislature, and an independent judiciary. In his view, this separation of powers was necessary to prevent despotism or absolute power in any single individual or group. Adams was keenly aware of the fragility of the American experiment in ordered liberty and sought to fortify the British constitutional inheritance with a strong measure of steadiness and permanence.
Adams' political creed rejected egalitarianism and embraced a natural aristocracy based on merit and talent. He believed that fostering the personal economic independence of citizens was necessary for the betterment of the republic, and he saw religion and morality as essential foundations for freedom. Adams' writings, such as "Thoughts on Government," influenced every state-constitution writing hall, and his ideas were instrumental in shaping the Massachusetts Constitution, which remains the oldest still-functioning written constitution in the world.
Despite his absence from the 1787 Constitutional Convention due to his role as Ambassador to Great Britain, Adams actively participated in the process from across the Atlantic. He corresponded with those writing the Constitution and published his "Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America," advocating for a balanced government. Adams supported the ratification of the United States Constitution but was disappointed by the absence of a Bill of Rights, which he believed was essential.
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Adams' Defence of the US Constitution
John Adams was a key figure in the development of the US Constitution, both in his home state of Massachusetts and at a national level. He was a strong supporter of independence and played a pivotal role in achieving it.
Adams' most notable contribution to the defence of the US Constitution was his three-volume work, 'A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America', written between 1787 and 1788 while he served as the American Ambassador to Britain. The text was written in response to criticisms of the proposed American government, particularly those made by French economist and political theorist Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, who had argued against bicameralism and the separation of powers. Adams' central goal was to advocate for a mixed constitution, balancing the powers of different branches and protecting against tyranny.
In his 'Defence', Adams outlined four basic constitutional principles: firstly, just laws are enacted by the consent of the governed or their chosen agents; secondly, for a people to be free, the rule of law must prevail; thirdly, the best government mixes democratic, aristocratic, and monarchical features; and finally, the best mixed government consists of a bicameral legislature with distinct aristocratic and democratic houses, an independent chief executive, and an independent judiciary.
Adams' arguments contributed to international debates about republicanism and governance, and they were discussed by leading Enlightenment thinkers across Europe, including the Marquis de Condorcet and the Marquis de Lafayette. Adams' work was widely read in both America and Europe, and he distributed copies to key figures in the American government and leading intellectuals, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Richard Price.
Adams' ideas influenced the later draft of the US Constitution, and he actively participated in the process from across the Atlantic, corresponding extensively with those writing the Constitution. He supported the ratification of the United States Constitution but was disappointed by the absence of a Declaration (or Bill) of Rights. Adams had previously been instrumental in ensuring that the Massachusetts Constitution, which remains in effect today, included a written Declaration (Bill) of Rights.
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The Massachusetts Constitution
John Adams, born in 1735 in Braintree, Massachusetts, played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. As a Patriot leader and early supporter of independence, Adams was instrumental in achieving separation from Great Britain and establishing a self-governed nation. He was a Massachusetts delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congresses and actively participated in the formation of the United States Constitution.
Adams recognised the importance of written constitutions for stable and democratic governments. He advocated for each state to call a special convention to write a constitution, which would then be submitted to a popular vote. In 1779, Massachusetts followed this approach, electing delegates from each town to form a constitutional convention. John Adams was chosen as the primary drafter of the new constitution.
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Adams' views on monarchy
John Adams was a pivotal figure in the American Revolution, playing a key role in achieving both separation from Great Britain and the establishment of a self-governing nation. He was also instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Massachusetts Constitution, which remains the oldest functioning written constitution globally. Adams's views on monarchy were complex and sometimes contradictory.
On the one hand, Adams privately criticised Thomas Paine's 1776 pamphlet, "Common Sense", which attacked all forms of monarchy, including the constitutional monarchy advocated by John Locke. Adams recognised the importance of monarchy in providing stability and order. He expressed support for hereditary monarchy or aristocracy, suggesting that these institutions could "preserve the laws and liberties of the people". During his time in Europe, Adams was impressed by the pomp and ceremony of monarchy and its role in evoking patriotism and maintaining order. He supported efforts to give the American presidency a regal quality and extend executive power, agreeing with Alexander Hamilton on most fiscal matters.
However, Adams also distanced himself from monarchical ideas at times, calling himself "a mortal and irreconcilable enemy to Monarchy". He emphasised that a good government must recognise the existence of social classes and that a mixed regime balancing monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy was necessary for preserving order and liberty. Adams's Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States articulated these ideas, emphasising the importance of consent of the governed, rule of law, and a mixed government with a bicameral legislature, an independent executive, and an independent judiciary.
Adams's views on monarchy were shaped by his belief that man was not inherently good and would always seek power over others. He saw the government's role as restraining the passions of different social orders. His Defence was influenced by thinkers such as Polybius, Cicero, James Harrington, John Locke, and Baron Montesquieu.
In summary, Adams recognised the value of monarchy in providing stability and order but also advocated for a mixed government that balanced monarchical, aristocratic, and democratic elements. His views on monarchy evolved over time, reflecting his complex and nuanced perspective on governance.
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Adams' influence on the US Constitution
John Adams played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, which had the dual goals of achieving separation from Great Britain and establishing a nation based on self-government. Adams was a Patriot leader and early supporter of independence. He was also instrumental in shaping the constitutional form of government, both in Massachusetts and at the national level.
Adams was a Massachusetts delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congresses. In May 1776, two months before the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, Adams spearheaded a resolution requesting each of the thirteen "United Colonies" to adopt its own new form of government.
Adams was a prolific writer and his ideas greatly influenced the formation of the US Constitution. Notably, he advocated for a separation of powers between the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government. He also promoted the idea of bicameralism, arguing that "a single assembly is liable to all the vices, follies and frailties of an individual." In his writings, Adams emphasised that the form of government should be chosen to attain the desired ends – the happiness and virtue of the greatest number of people. He believed that a republic, defined as an "empire of laws, and not of men," was the only good form of government.
Adams was not present at the 1787 Constitutional Convention as he was serving as America's ambassador to England at the time. However, he actively participated from across the Atlantic, corresponding extensively with those drafting the Constitution. He also published "Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" in 1787, which restated his case for a balanced government.
Adams was disappointed by the absence of a Declaration (or Bill) of Rights in the proposed US Constitution. He supported the ratification of the Constitution but pushed for the prompt addition of a Bill of Rights.
Adams also played a significant role in drafting the Massachusetts Constitution, which became the oldest functioning written constitution in the world and served as a model for the US Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution, adopted in 1780, was primarily drafted by Adams and included a written Declaration (Bill) of Rights and a Frame of Government. It emphasised human freedoms and was enforced by an independent judiciary. Adams's experience in Massachusetts, particularly the insistence on a constitution written by elected delegates and presented to voters for ratification, informed his thinking on the US Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
John Adams played a pivotal role in the development of the US Constitution, both in Massachusetts and at a national level. He was a strong supporter of independence and actively participated in the Constitutional Convention from across the Atlantic Ocean, as he was serving as Ambassador to Great Britain at the time. He corresponded extensively with those writing the Constitution and published "Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" in 1787, which outlined his case for a balanced government.
John Adams supported the ratification of the US Constitution and the addition of a Bill of Rights. He was disappointed by the absence of a Declaration of Rights in the proposed Constitution and believed that the US Constitution should be prefaced by one, as was the case with the Massachusetts Constitution, for which Adams was the primary author.
John Adams was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution, which was adopted in 1780 and is the oldest still-functioning written constitution in the world. It served as a model for the US Constitution. Adams included a strong prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures in the document, as well as a Bill of Rights and a Frame of Government.
