What would you rank President John Adams as......?

Question

Would you rate him as a Great, Near Great, Average or a failure as a president and why...

Answer 1

I find your suggested scale a bit difficult to deal with. Generally, only a tiny handful are considered the "great" Presidents (Most set Lincoln and Washington in a class by themselves, but may place one or two others near them -- FDR, TR and Reagan probably the most often mentioned for such a position these days.)

So I couldn't classify Adams as "great".

And whatever his practical wisdom and principled positions, the political failures of John Adams make it difficult to classify him as a "near great".

I think, for instance, of his slowness to correct the problems in his own cabinet --which included men basically stabbing him behind his back. Though his notion that Washington's cabinet should stay on, given no precedent for each President 'picking his own crew' is understandable, and he was a bit hamstrung by the unintentionally absurd result of the Constitutional provision that made the leader of the OPPOSITION party his Vice President!

Then there's the Alien and Sedition Acts -- though these were not so much HIS idea and he was not that aggressive in pursuing them (not nearly as aggressive as Jefferson, his chief critic!, when targeting all those New England merchants who opposed his embargo vs. England)

On the other hand, one of the main things that cost him politically was his efforts to prevent the "Quasi-War" with France from becoming a full war, despite the urging of the "high Federalists" (ultimately with success, but sadly not discovered to be until after the election!) In fact, in the foreign arena, he understood much better than these Federalists or the Jeffersonian Republicans, that America was not yet in a possession to be overly aggressive. Related to this, his desire to build up of the navy was also prescient (as became apparent only through the War of 1812 and the final defeat of the Barbary pirates immediately afterward).

Again on the domestic front he presided over a time of growth and economic stabilizing, both though the foreign policies already mentioned (as they impinge on TRADE) and through continuing the wise finanical policies begun by Hamilton under Washington. (Hamilton was, unfortunately, a major thorn in his side, and arguably quite disloyal. But the nation owes much to his brilliant work as the first Secretary of the Treasury.)

In short his policies were far better and more effective than his politics.

I would suggest he be ranked high in the "ABOVE average" category. (Some might argue for more, but that tends to be based on his ENORMOUS contribution to the effort for Independence, which ought not to be included in an evaluation of his Presidency. If that were allowed, he would very easily qualify as at the least "near great"... and so would Grant, for his brilliant generalship!)


Compare the rankings at
http://history-world.org/pres.pdf
which lists John Adams as #13 - as high in the 'above average' group

see also wikipedia list --
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_United_States_Presidents

Answer 2

Great. A mere glance at the presidency of John Adams would indicate that he was a failure. Naval engagements with France almost led to war and he signed the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were aimed at political opponents. A closer look however reveal a more complex story. Adams was able to prevent war with France. The Alien and Sedition Acts wer forced upon him by the Federalist in Congress under the influence of Alexander Hamilton. However, his most lasting legacy was a precedent vitally important to world history. After Jefferson was elected, Adams transferred power to a rival force peacefully. This laid the foundations for the success of the nations and future representative governments.

Answer 3

I do not know the way you randomly got here to choose those 2 presidents however it's tough to evaluate presidents from distinct centuries. I will say this even though, John Adams used to be an overly inflexible man or woman and I suppose he could have had plenty of drawback within the twentieth century. Though I could supply him the brink when you consider that he used to be a founding father and as such merits the appreciate and admiration for taking part within the production of a brand new executive and a loose society. Quite an accomplishment.

Answer 4

failure because his policies such as the alien and sedition Acts led to him not getting reelected and pushed his party out of favor with the American people. The A & S acts also trampled all over the freedom of press and speech