Bedford Public Library

John Adams, John Patrick Diggins ; Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., general editor

eng

not applicable

not applicable

biography

John Adams

sound recording

not applicable

49311871809230

John Patrick Diggins ; Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., general editor

The American presidents series

Volatile, impulsive, irritable, and self-pitying, Adams seemed temperamentally unsuited for the presidency. Yet in many ways he was the perfect successor to Washington in terms of ability, experience, and popularity. Possessed of a far-ranging intelligence, Adams took office amid the birth of the government and multiple crises. Besides maintaining neutrality and regaining peace, his administration created the Department of the Navy, put the army on a surer footing, and left a solvent treasury. One of his shrewdest acts was surely the appointment of moderate Federalist John Marshall as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Though he was a Federalist, he sought to work outside the still-forming party system. In the end, this would be Adams's greatest failing and most useful lesson to later leaders

not applicable