Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had a life-long friendship which they were able to keep private from their very intense public rivalry that almost tore it all apart. It all began at the Second Continental Congress in 1775, when John Adams came up with a proposal to draft a resolution on the unified effort for American Independence. Simply inspired and in awe of the powerful essays Thomas Jefferson wrote, John Adams then nominated Jefferson to lead the effort in writing the Declaration of Independence. Although their duties during the war effort were distant and unrelated, the two Founding Fathers continued to maintain a friendship and write numerous letters back and forth to one another for many years. Their discussions encompassed everything including events and ideas of future plans for the American government. Additionally, discussions even included topics such as the passing of Jefferson’s wife. In fact, their bond was so strong that in 1782 Adam’s and his wife visited Jefferson at his home to console him.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two exceptionally influential leaders of the factionalism party during the first term of government under the U.S. Constitution. At this time, Adams had been elected as the first Vice President after placing second to George Washington in the nation's first presidential election. Meanwhile in 1792, Jefferson joined James Madison in forming an anti-administration party that would later become known as the Democratic-Republicans.
Tensions between the men hit an all time high during the election of 1796. This was the election that caused a battle between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams that came down to a very narrow victory of only a 3 vote margin. Due to the original laws for a presidential election, the runner up became Vice President. This meant for another term, Jefferson was a member of a government that he publicly opposed. Their rivalry was so intense in 1800, when Jefferson defeated Adams to become the third President, that Adams left the Capital City on Jefferson’s inauguration day. Adams was so begrudged by his loss on his way out of office he appointed a number of Jefferson's political opponents to high positions.
The friendship between Adams and Jefferson reached its lowest point during Jefferson’s two terms as President, however was slowly restored after they had both retired from politics. Ironically, on July 4th, 1826, fifty years after the Declaration of Independence was published, both Jefferson and Adams died. It has been reported that one of Adams' last statements was, "Thomas Jefferson survives," as news of his old rival’s death that morning was yet to reach him. Was their rivalry friendship one based on fate, coincidence, or something beyond our comprehension?
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two exceptionally influential leaders of the factionalism party during the first term of government under the U.S. Constitution. At this time, Adams had been elected as the first Vice President after placing second to George Washington in the nation's first presidential election. Meanwhile in 1792, Jefferson joined James Madison in forming an anti-administration party that would later become known as the Democratic-Republicans.
Tensions between the men hit an all time high during the election of 1796. This was the election that caused a battle between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams that came down to a very narrow victory of only a 3 vote margin. Due to the original laws for a presidential election, the runner up became Vice President. This meant for another term, Jefferson was a member of a government that he publicly opposed. Their rivalry was so intense in 1800, when Jefferson defeated Adams to become the third President, that Adams left the Capital City on Jefferson’s inauguration day. Adams was so begrudged by his loss on his way out of office he appointed a number of Jefferson's political opponents to high positions.
The friendship between Adams and Jefferson reached its lowest point during Jefferson’s two terms as President, however was slowly restored after they had both retired from politics. Ironically, on July 4th, 1826, fifty years after the Declaration of Independence was published, both Jefferson and Adams died. It has been reported that one of Adams' last statements was, "Thomas Jefferson survives," as news of his old rival’s death that morning was yet to reach him. Was their rivalry friendship one based on fate, coincidence, or something beyond our comprehension?
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