Research On The Relationship Between Adams And Jefferson

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are two outstanding thinkers and revolutionaries in American history. Research on themselves has been very thorough at home and abroad. However, research is comparatively weak on the relationship between themselves. Few related works have been published abord and nobody has set foot in the domain at home. Research on the relationship is of great significance. Their relationship spanned half a century, both of them are leaders or participants in great historical events. Their relationship reflects their living background, conflict between new world and old one, birth of the United States and its early history as well as their own ideological system. Research on their relationship contributes us to comprehend the law of history profoundly, understand the history of the American Revolution and the founding course of the state thoroughly and evaluate themselves comprehensively.Based on related research achievements, this article researches on the relationship between Adams and Jefferson with historical materialism. The article expounds mainly historical events which they participated together and their relationship affected by those events. The course of their relationship can be divided into six stages in chronological sequence: the period of the American Revolution, the period of confederation, the period of Washington Administration, the period of Adams Administration, the period of Jefferson Administration and the period of their later years.Adams and Jefferson cherished the same faith during the American Revolution-to cast off the yoke of British colonialism and found a democratic republic. In course of striving for independence, they became acquainted and formed a close friendship. They drafed the Declaration of Independence, then turned their attention to the founding of the new government. They made great efforts to search after the form of new government, which was of great significance to every state. Their similar experience during the Revolution laid solid foundation for their reconciliation in later years. During the period of confederation, Adams and Jefferson were in Europe, representing their country in England and France respectively. They were in charge of negotiating treaties of amity and commerce with the European States. It was the second climax of their cooperation. They made different response to Shays's Rebellion at home, which displayed their divergence. In addition, they participated in the formulation of the Consititution of the United States in different ways and made great contribution to its perfection. Adams and Jefferson assisted Washington in governing the new country as vice-president andSecretary of State in Washington Administrtipn. During this time, they made different response to the French Revolution in the Old World. At the same time, political party sprouted and they represented different parties.The conflict of political principles made their friendship break up. In 1796, they run for the presidency and Adams won the contest. As vice-president, Jefferson didn't cooperate with Adams, which aggravated their hostility. Furthermore, the Federalists'terrible reign made the discord in the government more and more serious. Adams was defeated severely in "the Revolution of 1800" which declared the end of the Federalists'era. Although Jefferson took a conciliatory posture after he came to power, declaring "we are all republicans, we are all federalists", it could not close the rift between Adams and himself. They were finally reconciled by the mediation of their friend after they retired from their political life. They communicated with each other abundantly in their later years until both of them died on the fiftieth anniversary of American independence.The complicated relationship between Adams and Jefferson not only reflects their personal friendship, but also embodies political, economical, diplomatic and idelogical factors, etc. The conclusion raises their relationship to a higher level.