John Adams was the second President of the United States. Born in Massachusetts, he was an extremely vocal advocate for resisting the rule of British tyranny in the American colonies. Prior to his Presidency, he served as Vice President under his predecessor George Washington. His successor was Thomas Jefferson and his son John Quincy Adams would also later go on to become President. In addition, he was an extremely influential political figure during the American War of Independence and the founding of the United States as their own separate country.