Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, Lindsay M. Chervinsky

When it comes to the Founding Fathers of the United States, John Adams is often overshadowed by more charismatic and towering figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton. However, in Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky brings Adams out of their shadows, presenting him as a pivotal architect in shaping the presidency itself. This book dives into Adams’ often overlooked contributions to the early American republic and explores how his actions shaped the modern presidency.

As someone with a deep love for history, particularly when it comes to the complexities of leadership and governance, I found Chervinsky’s work to be a compelling read. As a contributor to WeeklyBookReviews.com, I often find myself drawn to works that delve into the complexities of leadership and governance, and Chervinsky’s account of Adams is no exception. It’s a book that weaves together political theory, biography, and institutional history in a way that sheds light on the often delicate and improvisational nature of early American leadership. Chervinsky argues that the presidency as we know it today was not fully formed when Washington first took office in 1789. It was John Adams, serving as the nation’s first vice president and later as its second president, who played a critical role in defining how future presidents would operate.

A Necessary but Unpopular Leader

The portrayal of Adams in Making the Presidency is one of a principled, if not sometimes stubborn, leader who often made unpopular decisions in the name of preserving the fragile young republic. Chervinsky does an excellent job of presenting Adams not as a flawless figure, but as a statesman who understood the importance of setting precedent. Adams had to navigate an uncharted political landscape, where the boundaries of executive power were still murky. What makes this book unique is that it doesn’t just focus on Adams’ decisions, but also the broader context of the early republic, where every decision had the potential to either strengthen or destabilize the fragile nation.

One of the book’s most intriguing parts is Chervinsky’s account of Adams’ role in establishing key presidential precedents. Excluded from Washington’s inner circle during his vice presidency, Adams influenced Senate debates on executive power. He saw the presidency as requiring decisive authority, not just a ceremonial role.

When he became president in 1797, Adams faced pressure for war with France during the Quasi-War but chose diplomacy instead, sending a peace commission in 1799. Though unpopular and contributing to his 1800 defeat, this decision set a crucial precedent for future presidents in prioritizing peace over war.

The Vice Presidency: A Role Defined by Adams

One of the more neglected aspects of Adams’ career is his time as the nation’s first vice president. In this role, Adams had the unenviable task of presiding over the Senate, a position that was largely undefined and often seemed inconsequential. Chervinsky provides a nuanced portrayal of Adams as someone who took this job seriously, even though he privately referred to it as “the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived.”

Adams’ contributions to the vice presidency are often overlooked, but Chervinsky argues that they were critical to shaping how the office of the vice president—and, by extension, the presidency itself—would function. Adams was often frustrated by the limited powers of the vice presidency, but he used his role as the Senate’s presiding officer to influence debates on critical issues, such as:

• The role and powers of the executive branch.
• The creation and development of the judiciary.
• Defining the relationship between the executive and Congress.
• Influencing early discussions on the balance of federal and state powers.

The book highlights the importance of Adams’ legislative experience in helping him navigate the political waters of the early republic. His work in the Senate helped define the vice president’s role as a legislative figure, while his later presidency would define how the executive branch could operate independently of Congress. In this sense, Adams was a critical transitional figure between the early, somewhat amorphous understanding of executive power under Washington and the more defined presidency that emerged after his time in office.

Establishing the Independence of the Presidency

One of the key themes of Making the Presidency is how Adams sought to balance the need for a strong executive with the dangers of autocracy. This was no easy task in a republic that had just fought a revolution to rid itself of monarchical rule. Adams was acutely aware of the dangers of centralizing too much power in the hands of the president, yet he also recognized that the presidency needed enough authority to act decisively when necessary.

Chervinsky’s nuanced exploration of the Alien and Sedition Acts, passed during Adams’ presidency, highlights a low point in his career. These acts allowed the government to detain non-citizens and criminalized government criticism, damaging Adams’ reputation as a liberty champion and overextending executive power.

However, Chervinsky doesn’t shy away from addressing the complexities of this issue. She argues that while Adams did not craft the legislation himself, he allowed it to pass in part because of the immense pressures he faced from a divided nation. The political climate at the time was fraught with fears of foreign influence and internal rebellion, and Adams believed that these acts were necessary to preserve the union. This section of the book is critical because it showcases the tension between liberty and security, a theme that continues to resonate in American politics today.

A Legacy of Leadership

Chervinsky’s Making the Presidency portrays John Adams as a leader who made difficult, often unpopular decisions to set lasting presidential precedents. Though he wasn’t always successful—his defeat in the 1800 election reflects the political costs—his contributions to the executive branch are undeniable.

One strength of Chervinsky’s work is how she places Adams’ actions in a broader historical context. She doesn’t isolate Adams but shows him as part of a larger nation-building project, balancing competing interests. Chervinsky highlights Adams’ awareness that he was setting precedents for future presidents, a responsibility he took seriously.

This book presents a portrait of a man who, despite his flaws, played a key role in shaping the presidency. Adams’ legacy goes beyond avoiding war with France or presiding over the Senate. He understood the presidency needed to be flexible and adaptive while grounded in constitutional principles. Chervinsky’s book reminds us that the presidency wasn’t fully formed at the nation’s founding but was shaped by leaders like Adams, who navigated the complexities of a new republic with caution and conviction.

Final Thoughts

For readers interested in American history, political leadership, or the formation of governmental institutions, Making the Presidency is an essential read. Chervinsky’s work provides a well-rounded and thoroughly researched account of how John Adams helped define the office of the presidency. More than just a biography, it’s a reflection on how leadership, even in its most imperfect forms, can have a lasting impact on the structure of government. While Adams may not have the same allure as some of his contemporaries, his contributions to the presidency are no less significant, and Chervinsky does an excellent job of bringing them to light.

In the end, Making the Presidency is a timely reminder of the importance of precedent, governance, and the often difficult choices that leaders must make to ensure the survival of a republic.