Eleanor Finch
John Adams was not present at the signing of the US Constitution in 1787 because he was serving as America's ambassador to England. Adams played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, advocating for independence from Great Britain and contributing significantly to the development of constitutional government through his political writings and thought. He was a leading proponent of independence, serving on the committee assigned to draft the Declaration of Independence, and was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which served as a model for the US Constitution. Adams's writings, including Thoughts on Government and A Defense of the Constitutions of the United States of America, influenced the principles and outline of the US Constitution, and he strongly supported the new Constitution upon his return to the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for not signing the US Constitution | Working as a diplomat in France |
| Influence on the US Constitution | Primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution, which influenced the US Constitution |
| Influence on the US Government | Helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain and secured vital governmental loans |
| Influence on the US Judiciary | Established the judicial branch as equal to the executive and legislative branches |
| Political Affiliation | Federalist |
| Vice President | Thomas Jefferson |
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What You'll Learn
John Adams was working as a diplomat in France
John Adams was absent from the Constitutional Convention because he was serving as a diplomat in France at the time. Adams had a significant role in the American Revolution and the early years of the republic, and his influence on the Constitution, although indirect, was still notable.
Adams was in France from 1778 to 1779, serving as a commissioner, and then from 1784 to 1785 as the first American minister to the Court of St. James's (an ancient name for the British court). During his time in France, Adams played a crucial role in securing the country's support for the American Revolution. He helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris, which ended the war and recognized American independence.
His diplomatic skills were highly valued, and his work in Europe was deemed essential to the new nation's survival. While Adams was proud of his work in Europe, he was disappointed to miss the Constitutional Convention, which he believed to be a pivotal moment in American history. He had hoped to be a part of the process, but his duties in France could not be neglected.
Adams' absence from the signing of the Constitution did not mean he was uninvolved in the process. He had been an active participant in the Continental Congress and had helped shape the Articles of Confederation, the precursor to the Constitution. Additionally, Adams played an important role in selecting George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, a decision that had a profound impact on the war and the country's future.
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Adams was a key figure in the Massachusetts Constitution
John Adams was a key figure in the Massachusetts Constitution, which was adopted in 1780. Adams was the primary author of the document, which served as a model for the United States Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution is the world's oldest functioning written constitution, and it remains in effect today.
Adams's work as a constitutional lawyer and his dedication to republicanism were key influences on his contributions to the Massachusetts Constitution. He was also influenced by his witnessing of the Writs of Assistance case in 1761, which led him to include a strong prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures in the Massachusetts Constitution.
Adams's pamphlet, "Thoughts on Government," published in April 1776, laid out a new framework for government, including three separate branches: an executive, a bicameral (two-house) legislature, and an independent judiciary. This framework influenced the constitutions drafted in many of the colonies, including Massachusetts. In May 1776, two months before the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, Adams advanced a resolution requesting each of the thirteen "United Colonies" to adopt its own new form of government.
Adams also played a crucial role in establishing the principle of an independent judiciary, which was included in the Massachusetts Constitution and adopted by other states in their constitutions. He organized the Frame of Government into chapters, sections, and articles, making the Massachusetts Constitution much easier to read and refer to than other early state constitutions. This innovation was later incorporated into the United States Constitution.
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Adams was a Federalist
John Adams, one of America's "founding fathers", was not present at the signing of the US Constitution in 1787 as he was working as a diplomat in France. However, Adams was indeed a Federalist.
Adams was a constitutional lawyer, and his work in this field, along with his analysis of history and dedication to republicanism, contributed to his influence. In 1776, two months before the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, Adams successfully urged each of the thirteen "United Colonies" to adopt its own new form of government. This was a groundbreaking move, as it meant that the people of Massachusetts insisted that their state constitution be written by elected delegates and presented to voters for ratification.
The Massachusetts Constitution, primarily drafted by Adams, was adopted in 1780 and remains the oldest functioning written constitution globally. It contains a written Declaration (Bill) of Rights and a Frame of Government modelled on Adams' influential pamphlet, 'Thoughts on Government'. This pamphlet, written in response to queries from other delegates, provided a framework for republican constitutions. Adams' work on the Massachusetts Constitution directly influenced the United States Constitution, as did his essay, 'Thoughts on Government'.
Adams' influence extended beyond his work on the Massachusetts Constitution. In late 1779, he was appointed as the sole minister charged with negotiating a commercial treaty with Britain to end the war. He also helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain and secured vital governmental loans. As president, Adams' anti-French policies were extremely popular and significantly enhanced his public standing. He also faced a major international crisis when France suspended diplomatic relations with the US due to what they saw as an Anglo-American alliance in Jay's Treaty.
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Adams had anti-French policies
John Adams, America's second president, was working as a diplomat in France when the US Constitution was signed in 1787. He was negotiating a commercial treaty with Britain and working to end the war.
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Thomas Jefferson was John Adams' Vice President
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were both absent from the signing of the US Constitution in 1787. At the time, Adams was in Great Britain working as a diplomat, while Jefferson was in France performing the same role.
Thomas Jefferson was the second Vice President of the United States, serving under President John Adams from 1797 to 1801. The pair were political rivals, representing opposing parties in the 1796 election, which Adams won. Under the electoral laws at the time, the runner-up in the election—in this case, Jefferson—became the Vice President. Jefferson assumed a passive role as Vice President, allowing the Senate to conduct debates freely and limiting his participation to procedural issues. In 1800, he published "A Manual of Parliamentary Practice", a guide to Senate procedure. In the 1800 election, Jefferson again challenged Adams and won the presidency.
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Frequently asked questions
John Adams was not present at the signing of the US Constitution because he was working as a diplomat in Great Britain at the time.
Yes, Adams played an essential role in the development of the US Constitution. He was a leading proponent of independence from Great Britain and served on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Adams also helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain and secured vital governmental loans.
Yes, Adams was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a fierce advocate for the Declaration drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
Adams was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which served as a model for the US Constitution and many other national constitutions. He was also a Massachusetts delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses and played a crucial role in the success of the American Revolution.
Following the adoption and ratification of the US Constitution, Adams became the first Vice President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was then elected as the second President of the United States in 1796 under the Federalist Party.
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