President John Adams became the 2nd President of the United States on March 4, 1797. President Adams had only served one term as president and was succeeded by Thomas Jefferson. The significant historical event that happened in his lifetime was the Revolutionary War. During his time he was appointed on a committee with Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman, to draft a Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War he served in France and Holland in diplomatic roles, and helped negotiate the treaty of peace. When Adams became President, the war between the French and British was causing great difficulties for the United States on the high seas and intense partisanship among contending factions within the Nation. Congress appropriated money to complete three new frigates and to build additional ships, and authorized the raising of a provisional army. It also passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, intended to frighten foreign agents out of the country and to stifle the attacks of Republican editors. John Adams died on July 4, 1826 in Braintree, Norfolk, Massachusetts.
