Differences of Opinion: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

Anywhere and everywhere in the world, people will always have different views on various issues. Fledgling America was no different. There were people who thought the central government should have more power, as various rebellions have shown, whilst others believed that the separate states should have more control. The careful need to balance between enough power to keep the people in line, and enough freedom to prevent a tyranny, divided 18^th and 19^th century politics. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, while both wanting almost the same thing – a strong nation – had different ideas of how to reach their goal.

Jefferson was born in Virginia with 5,000 acres of land and a high place in his society. He had worked hard to free America and make a name for his nation. Preferring to write rather than voice his opinions, he was a member of both the House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress. In his political career, his most important articles were “The Declaration of Independence” and the “Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.” Jefferson succeeded Franklin as minister to France, acting upon his sympathy for the French in their revolution and ultimately leading to his role as leader of the Democratic-Republicans. He encouraged both the French Revolution and power of the states.

Adams, however, was born in Massachusetts. He endeavored to, and successfully became, a lawyer, as well as a delegate to the 1^st and 2^nd Continental Congresses. His political advisory was not limited to only America, though. He served diplomatic roles with France and Holland during the Revolution, helping negotiate the treaty of peace. Along with having been a minister at the Court of St. James’s, Adams became the very first Vice President. When he was elected President, the Quasi-War was causing disputes over whom to side with – the French or the British. While not claiming open war, hostilities in the waters soon arose. However, France soon declared it would not fight a war. Negotiations took time, but ultimately ended the Quasi-War. Not all were satisfied by Adam’s course of action. Those following Hamilton’s ideals attacked Adam’s politics. As close as he was to winning the next election, he lost to Jefferson.