John Adams

John Adams was the second person to win the Electoral College and become president of the United States.

Elections

In the 1796 United States presidential election, voters (adult white male landowners) chose electors, who then cast votes for up to two candidates. John Adams received 71 electoral votes. Thomas Jefferson received 68 electoral votes. Therefore, John Adams won in 1796.

The 1800 election didn't go so well for the POTUS incumbent Adams. Thomas Jefferson received more electoral college votes, and thus became the third POTUS. However, John Adams' offspring (John Quincy Adams) would have better luck later in John Adams' life.

Political Parties

Adams' predecessor (George Washington) opposed party politics. However, Washington died in 1799. Soon after both Adams' and Washington's administrations, Alexander Hamilton emerged as the leader of the "Federalist" party. Thomas Jefferson (a staunch political opponent of Adams) emerged as the leader of the "Anti-Federalist" party. See United States#Political Eras for more on this topic.