Though he had a reputation for a personality that was pricklier than a hedgehog wearing hairgel, Adams' career in early American politics spanned decades. Along with Thomas Jefferson, he was one of two signers of the Declaration of Independence (1776) who went on to become President. He also helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris, along with his travel-buddies, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay.

Like Washington, Adams became a critic of the Articles of Confederation government. He served as an ambassador starting during the Revolutionary War, but later came to believe that the government was too weak to give America firm footing on the world stage.

In other words, Adams was one of the first people to recognize that the Confederation system was holding back America in a serious way—in a letter to John Jay, he even expressed fear that the system left the nation vulnerable to attack from the outside. (Source)

Ironically, Adams still had to fight off the British as President in the War of 1812. The guy just couldn't catch a break.