 | Redoedo (39)
02/04/2004 |  Tremendously underrated and not given nearly enough credit in the history books for his notable accomplishments in the interests of peace. Adams inherited an aura of growing tensions between the United States and France, and the two nations it seemed were on the brink of war at the start of Adams' term. Adams first pursued a peaceful settlement by sending three envoys to France, who were insulted and sent packing. Adams, more pressured than ever to declare war on France, initiated a massive military buildup which included the creation of the Navy Department and the Marine Corps, a major achievement in properly structuring the United States Armed Forces. French harrassment of American ships at sea continued, and war now seemed inevitable. Adams had the fortitude to take this nation to war in order to assert U.S. independence from European powers, but he continued to seek a peaceful settlement. It was finally achieved when a special envoy to France consulted with Napoleon and arranged a peaceful settlement. With our nation still relatively young at the time of Adams' presidency, it is important not to underscore this achievement. The United States was not strong enough to engage in another war with a major European power. However, in his refusal to be passive, but also in his conviction to be prudent, peace was preserved. The Alien and Sedition Acts, a major black mark on the Adams legacy, were truly signed by the President to protect U.S. national security, although Federalist radicals in the Congress passed the laws for political reasons. In the final analysis, Adams is clearly underrated and overlooked as President, probably because his predacessor and successor were both such incredibly brilliant and well-respected men. This has resulted in Adams being known simply as the man who came in between the two. However, Adams' peaceful settlement with the French precipitated the Louisiana Purchase, an accomplishment often attributed to Jefferson. The bottom line is that Adams left this country in better shape than he found it, with a tremendous window of opportunity open for American prosperity and peace preserved.
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