John Adams (pictured left) was one of the major political leaders of the American Revolution and served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. John studied law and eventually became a lawyer for having the thought that all individuals should have the rights to a "fair trial." Also, he was the representative or lawyer who defended the British soldiers who were accused of murdering Crispus Attucks at the Boston Massacre. After helping write the Treaty of Paris he later became the vice president for George Washington and following that, the second president of the United States in 1796. A writer but also a major political leader, John Adams was one of only five people allowed to sign the Declaration of Independence.