Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were crucial contributors to the Declaration of independence. They met and became friends at the time of the Revolutionary War; thus, their relationship started amicably. Notably, their connection formed on the basis of their different political views – while Adams was in support of a strong central government, Jefferson advocated for the individual rights of states.
However, a power vacuum formed between them as they decided to run against one other for a presidential position after Washington, with Adams winning, but Jefferson promised to become a vice president, a position that he did not take (Axelrod & Griggs, 2018). Thus, running for the presidency had significantly affected the initially amicable relationship. As Jefferson won the next election, Adams did not even attend the inauguration ceremony, which speaks volumes about how competition for power can affect relationships.
The importance of the 1812 war is connected to the fact that it did not only confirm the continued existence of the United States but also showed that it would transform into an international player with significance. Notably, as the government established the capacity to conduct a war without surrendering its institutions, the need for a solid patriotic message was highly important. One of the most significant casualties from the war was the Federalist party, which opposed the war, thus making it insufficient and ineffective in the eyes of the general public that called for a new perspective on national identity and its future. Therefore, people with power and money were not guaranteed to hold special positions in the government as the broader message of independence was being spread.
Reference
Axelrod, J., & Griggs, B. (2018). Feuding founders John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, hours apart. Web.