John Adams was really important in helping America break free from British rule. He was a key player in the Continental Congress and worked hard to push for independence.

Early Advocacy:

• In 1774, Adams went to the First Continental Congress as a representative.
• He strongly supported the rights of the colonies and often spoke out against the British government.

Drafting the Declaration of Independence:

• In 1776, Adams was chosen to help write the Declaration of Independence.
• He worked with Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman to create the document that officially declared independence from Great Britain.
• Adams suggested ideas about natural rights, which helped Jefferson write powerful words that impressed many colonists.

Persuasion and Debate:

• During the Second Continental Congress, Adams gave speeches that pushed for independence, saying that there was no point in trying to make peace with Britain.
• One of his famous quotes from this time was, “We are in a state of war.” This showed how urgent he thought it was to gain independence.
• On July 2, 1776, thanks to his convincing arguments, the Congress voted for independence, with 12 colonies agreeing and one (New York) not voting.

Post-Declaration Efforts:

• After the Declaration was accepted on July 4, 1776, Adams kept working as a diplomat in Europe. He helped to secure important support from other countries.
• His work helped build support for the Revolutionary War, which eventually led to victory in 1783.

John Adams put in a lot of hard work to fight for American independence. His efforts shaped the future of the nation and made a big difference in history.