John Adams's political philosophy was influenced by his father and his education. Born into a farming family in 1735, John Adams grew up in Braintree, Massachusetts. Growing up, Adams looked up to his father immensely, calling him the most honest man he has ever known. "His father was his idol. It was his father's honesty, his father's independent spirit and love of country, Adams said, that were his lifelong inspiration"" (McCullough 33). Adams had gained his integrity, and free spirit through his father. Education also played a vital role in developing Adams' political philosophies. By the age of fifteen, Adams was accepted into Harvard University. During his time at Harvard, Adams abandoned his father's dream of becoming a minister of the Protestant church, to pursue his desire to become a lawyer. Soon after his decision to become a lawyer, Adams went on to study law under James Putnam. Due to Putnam, John Adams avidly began studying law to achieve his goal of becoming a lawyer.
Leading up to the American Revolution, Adams played an important role to the people. He gained great popularity after his Braintree Instructions was published in the Gazette. This document was amongst the earliest in British America to officially reject the authority of Parliament over the colonies in North America. Shortly after its publication, the Braintree Instructions was adopted by forty towns. Just as Adams' popularity reached its peak, he was selected to represent British soldiers who were involved in the Boston Massacre. John Adams received heaps of criticism from many civilians. However, his involvement in the case increased his public standings, making him in the long run, more respected than ever. By 1774, Adams was chosen to join the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia where he argued that Americans had every right to determine their own destiny and change the foreign Ministry in London with corruption and venal intent.
