Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Join @BobbleheadGeorge and Periodic Presidents for a look at POTUS #2, John Adams!
There have been a lot of tough acts to follow in history, but perhaps nobody had as hard a time stepping out of the shadow of their predecessor as John Adams. George Washington left impossible shoes to fill for his successor, and anybody would have had a hard time living up to the standard set by the American Cincinnatus.
The 1796 presidential election was the first in which two candidates were presented by opposing parties. John Adams ran as a Federalist, while Thomas Jefferson ran as a Democratic-Republican.
Adams, winning the most electoral votes, became president. However, his running mate, Thomas Pinckney, would not be elected vice president. As the Constitution laid out, the person with the second most electoral votes would become vice president. That man was Thomas Jefferson. So, the election of 1796 put two opposing parties into the White House.
Perhaps the greatest legacy Adams left behind was not his presidency, but how he left office. Despite losing a bitter election filled with personal attacks, John Adams peacefully, although unhappily, left office. This set a crucial precedent and demonstrated one of the most important aspects of our government, a peaceful transfer of power.
Adams returned to Massachusetts with his wife Abigail following his Presidency. He was a prolific writer, and eventually patched up his relationship with former friend turned rival, Thomas Jefferson. Adams and Jefferson both passed on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
-Video Chapters-
0:01 - Introduction
0:11 - The impossible task of following George Washington
0:27 - The Federalist Party
0:59 - The Election of 1796
1:36 - The Election of 1800
1:47 - A tie in the Electoral College
2:04 - John Adams greatest contribution...a peaceful transfer of power
2:28 - Adams' post-presidency
2:50 - Periodic Presidents
To learn more about POTUS #3, Thomas Jefferson, follow this link: youtube.com/watch?v=5zuOaMPVVvQ
Please visit Alex Raymond Productions at: alexraymondproductions.com
Please visit Periodic Presidents at: periodicpresidents.com
As middle school history teachers, Mr. Gimbi and Mr. Raymond can honestly testify that nothing has made learning the presidents, presidential elections, and the Constitution easier for our students than Periodic Presidents. Be sure to check out their online store on their website.
Follow us on TikTok!
@Bobblehead George
Follow us on Instagram!
instagram.com/bobblehdgeorge
Like us on Facebook
@Bobblehead George
For business inquires email me at business@alexraymondproductions.com
To become a patron visit patreon.com/bobbleheadgeorge
Join @BobbleheadGeorge and Periodic Presidents for a look at POTUS #2, John Adams!
There have been a lot of tough acts to follow in history, but perhaps nobody had as hard a time stepping out of the shadow of their predecessor as John Adams. George Washington left impossible shoes to fill for his successor, and anybody would have had a hard time living up to the standard set by the American Cincinnatus.
The 1796 presidential election was the first in which two candidates were presented by opposing parties. John Adams ran as a Federalist, while Thomas Jefferson ran as a Democratic-Republican.
Adams, winning the most electoral votes, became president. However, his running mate, Thomas Pinckney, would not be elected vice president. As the Constitution laid out, the person with the second most electoral votes would become vice president. That man was Thomas Jefferson. So, the election of 1796 put two opposing parties into the White House.
Perhaps the greatest legacy Adams left behind was not his presidency, but how he left office. Despite losing a bitter election filled with personal attacks, John Adams peacefully, although unhappily, left office. This set a crucial precedent and demonstrated one of the most important aspects of our government, a peaceful transfer of power.
Adams returned to Massachusetts with his wife Abigail following his Presidency. He was a prolific writer, and eventually patched up his relationship with former friend turned rival, Thomas Jefferson. Adams and Jefferson both passed on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
-Video Chapters-
0:01 - Introduction
0:11 - The impossible task of following George Washington
0:27 - The Federalist Party
0:59 - The Election of 1796
1:36 - The Election of 1800
1:47 - A tie in the Electoral College
2:04 - John Adams greatest contribution...a peaceful transfer of power
2:28 - Adams' post-presidency
2:50 - Periodic Presidents
To learn more about POTUS #3, Thomas Jefferson, follow this link: youtube.com/watch?v=5zuOaMPVVvQ
Please visit Alex Raymond Productions at: alexraymondproductions.com
Please visit Periodic Presidents at: periodicpresidents.com
As middle school history teachers, Mr. Gimbi and Mr. Raymond can honestly testify that nothing has made learning the presidents, presidential elections, and the Constitution easier for our students than Periodic Presidents. Be sure to check out their online store on their website.
Follow us on TikTok!
@Bobblehead George
Follow us on Instagram!
instagram.com/bobblehdgeorge
Like us on Facebook
@Bobblehead George
For business inquires email me at business@alexraymondproductions.com
To become a patron visit patreon.com/bobbleheadgeorge
