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The Presidency of John Adams
The administration of John Adams was a period of rapid change, internal discord, and the continual threat of war. Few of the nation's chief executives have been subjected to such immediate and ever-present danger of foreign involvement and national destruction, to such bitter animosities and serious cleavages within their administrations, or to such constant need for decision making as was John Adams. In the face of such adversity Adams successfully pursued a policy of neutrality and conciliation and, in so doing, provided time for the country to grow strong and to prosper. Yet, despite the seriousness of the country's problems and the contributions of his administration, he is seldom designated as one of the great American presidents.
In this volume, Ralph Adams Brown presents a new evaluation of John Adams and of his four years in the presidency. The portrait drawn by Adams's enemies disappears and the second president emerges as a world citizen whose insight, judgment, and perseverance held the young nation together in a critical period. Brown focuses closely on the most significant aspect of Adams's presidency, foreign affairs. He examines the country's increasing concern with matters of defense and Adams's successful efforts to evade foreign entanglements.
Describing the vicious personal attacks to which Adams was subjected, and the devious and disloyal maneuvers of his cabinet members, Brown traces Adams's difficulties with Timothy Pickering, James McHenry, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Alexander Hamilton, and others. He documents Adams's steadfastness to his ideals and principles, despite the hostility, exaggerated accusations, and perfidy that surrounded him.
In this volume, Ralph Adams Brown presents a new evaluation of John Adams and of his four years in the presidency. The portrait drawn by Adams's enemies disappears and the second president emerges as a world citizen whose insight, judgment, and perseverance held the young nation together in a critical period. Brown focuses closely on the most significant aspect of Adams's presidency, foreign affairs. He examines the country's increasing concern with matters of defense and Adams's successful efforts to evade foreign entanglements.
Describing the vicious personal attacks to which Adams was subjected, and the devious and disloyal maneuvers of his cabinet members, Brown traces Adams's difficulties with Timothy Pickering, James McHenry, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Alexander Hamilton, and others. He documents Adams's steadfastness to his ideals and principles, despite the hostility, exaggerated accusations, and perfidy that surrounded him.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 1975
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 22, 2018
Having just finished a biography of Geo Washington and planning a trip to visit an American historian friend in Vermont, I decided to proceed with this account of the country's second president.
Most of what I'd read previously about Adams' one term presidency has focused on his administration's Alien and Sedition Acts, representing him as the leader of the Federalist faction in government suppressively opposed to the Jeffersonian democrats. This account, however, downplays the Acts and represents Adams more as a statesman than as a party politician. Rather than Jefferson, Hamilton is presented as his real opponent, and a sly one at that!
Most of what I'd read previously about Adams' one term presidency has focused on his administration's Alien and Sedition Acts, representing him as the leader of the Federalist faction in government suppressively opposed to the Jeffersonian democrats. This account, however, downplays the Acts and represents Adams more as a statesman than as a party politician. Rather than Jefferson, Hamilton is presented as his real opponent, and a sly one at that!
August 23, 2018
Excellent overview and analysis of an often skipped over presidency. Sandwiched between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, John Adams has only in modern times started receiving his due for averting a war with France during his tenure. Brown does an excellent job in helping the reader to understand Adams's victories as well as the less than admirable parts of his presidency (i.e. the Alien and Sedition Acts). Highly recommended read for anyone interested in the early republic.
December 1, 2025
The Presidency of John Adams by Ralph Adams Brown is an entry in the University Press of Kansas' "American Presidency" series. Like the other books in the series, the book is relatively brief at 246 pages, but it's well written and surprisingly thorough. As successor to George Washington, John Adams had big shoes to fill and he was always going to suffer by comparison. The factions that were beginning to form under the Washington administration became full-blown political parties during Adams' presidency.
If you go strictly by this book, Adams devoted most of his attention to diplomatic issues involving the two major warring powers in Europe, Britain and France. His own Federalist party was pro-British and anti-French. Led by Alexander Hamiltion, the Federalists spent the entirety of Adams' presidency agitating for war. The political opposition, the Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson, was very pro-French and opposed war with France. Adams wanted to continue Washington's policy of maintaining neutrality and avoiding war with either Britain or France. This cost him the support of his own party without winning the support of the Republicans. Eventually, Federalist leaders appealed to Washington to denounce Adams, but Washington had not changed his position during his retirement. He supported Adams' efforts to maintain neutrality, which blunted Federalist opposition.
Unfortunately, Adams' refusal to support Britain or France would cost him the re-election. He served only one term. Although he was disappointed, he and his wife welcomed the opportunity to retire to his farm in Massachusetts. He did his best, the United States was at peace, and he was mostly satisfied with his accomplishments. Thomas Jefferson would succeed him as the third President of the United States.
The Presidency of John Adams is a well written chronicle of the Adams administration. Author Ralph Adams Brown manages to clearly describe the confusing diplomatic relationship with France. The French government changed multiple times during his administration. Adams had to deal with French governments that were sometimes hostile and sometimes friendly, depending on who was in power at the time. The author successfully walks us through the muddle. He also describes the development of the first political parties in U.S. history in response to the situation in Europe. Brown is a graceful writer, and his book is a pleasure to read. History buffs will love this book.
If you go strictly by this book, Adams devoted most of his attention to diplomatic issues involving the two major warring powers in Europe, Britain and France. His own Federalist party was pro-British and anti-French. Led by Alexander Hamiltion, the Federalists spent the entirety of Adams' presidency agitating for war. The political opposition, the Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson, was very pro-French and opposed war with France. Adams wanted to continue Washington's policy of maintaining neutrality and avoiding war with either Britain or France. This cost him the support of his own party without winning the support of the Republicans. Eventually, Federalist leaders appealed to Washington to denounce Adams, but Washington had not changed his position during his retirement. He supported Adams' efforts to maintain neutrality, which blunted Federalist opposition.
Unfortunately, Adams' refusal to support Britain or France would cost him the re-election. He served only one term. Although he was disappointed, he and his wife welcomed the opportunity to retire to his farm in Massachusetts. He did his best, the United States was at peace, and he was mostly satisfied with his accomplishments. Thomas Jefferson would succeed him as the third President of the United States.
The Presidency of John Adams is a well written chronicle of the Adams administration. Author Ralph Adams Brown manages to clearly describe the confusing diplomatic relationship with France. The French government changed multiple times during his administration. Adams had to deal with French governments that were sometimes hostile and sometimes friendly, depending on who was in power at the time. The author successfully walks us through the muddle. He also describes the development of the first political parties in U.S. history in response to the situation in Europe. Brown is a graceful writer, and his book is a pleasure to read. History buffs will love this book.
February 18, 2017
The author praises and admires John Adams so you get a lack of criticism in this book. He is portrayed as an independent thinker and patriot, however, forgets to mention, or barely remarks, hotly controversial laws like the alien and sedition acts and plays down the ever growing sentiments of civil war in the country at that time. Nor does it mention the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions, and once again downplays the importance of "midnight judges" all without substantial evidence.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews