"John Adams"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses McCullough's thesis that John Adams was overshadowed in history by Thomas Jefferson, but was perhaps a more important and commanding figure in his own right. The paper describes how McCullough creates a picture of Adams that shows how important he was to the development of America from before the Revolution until long after it. The paper is of the opinion that McCullough achieves his goal of redressing the slight to Adams' fame.

From the Paper:

"John Adams was early identified with the patriot cause and would be a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses. He was a leader in the movement for independence. Adams was a diplomat during the Revolutionary War and spent time in France and Holland. He also helped negotiate the peace treaty at the end of the war. He was made minister of the Court of St. James in 1785 and would serve for four years in that capacity before returning to America to be elected the first Vice President under George Washington, and he would serve two terms in that capacity. As Abigail's letters show, Adams found his role as Vice President to be frustrating, something that has occurred to most of those holding the office since. It is interesting that the triviality and insignificance of the office was noted by the first man to hold it and that this has been commented upon many times since."

Sample of Sources Used:

• McCullough, David. John Adams. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.

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