John Adams was the second president of the United States and played a key role in the American Revolution and in the early national government. 

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Reading: John Adams, Second U.S. President

 

John Adams was the second president of the United States and an important leader of the American Revolution. He was born in Massachusetts in 1735 and worked as a lawyer before entering politics. Adams became known for defending the rights of American colonists and speaking out against British policies before independence.​

During the Revolutionary era, Adams served in the Continental Congress, where he strongly supported independence from Britain. He helped choose George Washington as commander of the Continental Army and served on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Later, he worked as a diplomat in Europe, helping to secure loans and negotiate the peace treaty that officially ended the war with Britain.​

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After the Revolution, Adams continued to serve the new United States government. He became the first vice president under George Washington from 1789 to 1797, a position he sometimes found frustrating because it had limited power. In 1796, he was elected president and served one term, from 1797 to 1801.​

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Adams’s presidency was a difficult time for the young nation. The United States faced serious tensions with France, including the XYZ Affair, which led many Americans to fear a possible war. Adams strengthened the navy to protect American ships, but he also worked hard to avoid a full-scale war, which he believed would be dangerous for the new country.​

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At home, Adams signed the Alien and Sedition Acts, which made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and punished people who criticized the government. These laws were very controversial, and many people believed they went against the principles of free speech and democracy. Because of these conflicts and growing political divisions, Adams lost the election of 1800 to Thomas Jefferson.​

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In his later years, Adams returned to his home in Massachusetts and wrote letters and essays about government and history. He renewed his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and the two former presidents exchanged many letters about their experiences and ideas. John Adams died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and is remembered as a strong, sometimes stubborn, but deeply principled supporter of American independence and republican government.​

 

Part A – Pre-Reading Questions

Answer these questions in complete sentences.

1. What do you already know about the early years of the United States?

2. Why might leading a new country be difficult?

3. What problems do you think a new nation might face with other countries?

 

Part B – Vocabulary Matching

Match the words (1–8) with the correct definitions (A–H).

1. Revolution

2. Independence

3. Diplomat

4. Treaty

5. Tension

6. Controversial

7. Criticize

8. Principle

A. A person who represents a country in discussions with other countries
B. A formal agreement between countries
C. A basic belief or rule that guides actions
D. Strong disagreement or stress between people or countries
E. A war or movement to change a government or political system
F. Freedom from control by another country or authority
G. To say that you do not approve of something; to point out faults
H. Causing strong disagreement or discussion

 

Part C – Reading Comprehension

Directions

Read the text again. Then answer the questions in complete sentences.

1. In what year and in which colony (state) was John Adams born?

2. What was Adams’s job before he entered politics?

3. What important roles did Adams have during the American Revolution? Name two.

4. During which years did Adams serve as president of the United States?

5. Why was Adams’s time as president difficult in terms of foreign relations?

6. What were the Alien and Sedition Acts, and why were they controversial?

7. What happened in the election of 1800, and why was it important?

8. How did Adams spend his later years, and what is he remembered for today?

 

Part D – True or False

Directions

Write T for true or F for false. Correct the false sentences.

1. ___ John Adams was the first president of the United States.

2. ___ Adams served as vice president before he became president.

3. ___ Adams wanted an easy war with France and did not try to avoid it.

4. ___ The Alien and Sedition Acts limited the rights of immigrants and people who criticized the government.

5. ___ John Adams and Thomas Jefferson later became friends again and wrote many letters to each other.

 

Part E – Short Answer: Adams’s Challenges and Legacy

Directions

Answer the questions in 2–3 sentences.

1. Why was it difficult for John Adams to be president during a time of conflict with France?

2. In your opinion, what shows that John Adams was committed to independence and democratic ideas, even if he made mistakes?

 

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Answer Key

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Part B – Vocabulary Matching

1. Revolution → E. A war or movement to change a government or political system.

2. Independence → F. Freedom from control by another country or authority.

3. Diplomat → A. A person who represents a country in discussions with other countries.

4. Treaty → B. A formal agreement between countries.

5. Tension → D. Strong disagreement or stress between people or countries.

6. Controversial → H. Causing strong disagreement or discussion.

7. Criticize → G. To say that you do not approve of something; to point out faults.

8. Principle → C. A basic belief or rule that guides actions.

 

Part C – Reading Comprehension

1. He was born in 1735 in the colony of Massachusetts.

2. He worked as a lawyer before entering politics.

3. He served in the Continental Congress, supported independence, helped choose Washington as commander, and worked as a diplomat in Europe (any two of these).

4. He served as president from 1797 to 1801.

5. The United States had serious tensions with France, including the XYZ Affair, and many Americans feared war, so Adams had to balance defense with efforts to avoid a full war.

6. The Alien and Sedition Acts made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and punished people who criticized the government; they were controversial because many believed they violated free speech and democratic principles.

7. Adams lost the election of 1800 to Thomas Jefferson; the peaceful transfer of power between rival parties became an important example for future elections.

8. He retired to Massachusetts, wrote letters and essays about government and history, renewed his friendship with Jefferson, and is remembered as a strong supporter of independence and republican government.

 

Part D – True or False

1. F – John Adams was the second president of the United States, not the first.

2. T – Adams served as vice president under George Washington before becoming president.

3. F – Adams strengthened the navy but worked hard to avoid a full war with France.

4. T – The Alien and Sedition Acts limited the rights of immigrants and people who criticized the government.

5. T – Adams and Jefferson later renewed their friendship and wrote many letters to each other.

 

Part E – Short Answer (Sample Answers)

1. It was difficult because Adams had to protect the United States from French threats while also trying not to start a full war that the young country might not be ready for. He had to make unpopular decisions and faced strong political opposition.

2. Adams showed his commitment to independence and democratic ideas by supporting the American Revolution, helping create the new government, and accepting the peaceful transfer of power after he lost the election, even though some of his actions, like the Alien and Sedition Acts, were serious mistakes.