Passing the Torch
With President George Washington setting a precedent to serve in office two terms, the nation was in need of a new President. Since John Adams had served for two terms as the Vice President under Washington, he seemed an obvious choice. Adams officially took office in 1797 with Thomas Jefferson serving as his Vice President. Adams seemed well suited for the position as President. He graduated from Harvard and was a practicing attorney before entering politics. He also served during the American Revolution.