This Constitution, primarily drafted by John Adams, contains a written Declaration (Bill) of Rights and a Frame of Government modeled after the one articulated in Thoughts on Government. Breaking new ground, the people of Massachusetts insisted that their state constitution be written by delegates elected to a special constitutional convention and presented to the voters for ratification. Massachusetts adopted its new Constitution in 1780, although national independence was not yet won. In May 1776, two months before the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, Adams spearheaded passage of a Resolution requesting each of the thirteen "United Colonies" to adopt its own new form of government. He set forth a new framework for government - one that included three separate branches: an executive, a bicameral (two house) legislature, and an independent judiciary. In April 1776, Adams's extraordinarily influential pamphlet, Thoughts on Government, was published.
Adams knew that separation from Great Britain must be accompanied by the adoption of written constitutions providing for stable and democratic governments. Less well known are his essential contributions to our constitutional form of government. John Adams was pivotal to the success of both goals.Īdams's role as a Patriot leader and early supporter of independence is well known. The thirteen colonies pledged to achieve both separation from Great Britain and the establishment of a nation based on self-government. The American Revolution required success on two fronts.
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