The first President of the United States after George Washington was John Adams, who served from 1797 to 1801. A Federalist and a key figure in the American Revolution, Adams was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence and later served as Washington’s Vice President. His presidency faced significant challenges, including tensions with France known as the Quasi-War and internal political strife between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. Adams' leadership helped establish the precedents for the executive office and navigate the country through its formative years, positioning the U.S. on a path toward securing its independence and governance.