Post 6: The Legacy of John Adams

According to Historian David McCullough “John Adams hasn’t received the attention he deserves” meaning Adams hasn't been remembered in history as he should be.  I think that this statement is probably true as Adams is almost remembered as a placeholder between the great presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson not as one of the main pursers of independence.  John Adams fiercely campaigned at least in the series for independence and if it wasn't for him independence wouldn’t have been declared so quickly or at all. John Adams should be placed with men such as Washington and Hamilton, because although he wasn't present for the revolutionary war he was campaign for the case abroad. I feel that part of the reason why Adams doesn't have the place in history he deserves because of his attitude and temperament. As Adams had more enemies than allies others were more likely to speak badly of him something Adam’s alludes to in the final episode of the series saying “I consider the true history of our revolution to be lost forever”.

Post 5: The President and The First Lady

Abigail Adams for me was one of the greatest features of the series I think that Laura Linney did a very good job and never overacted. At the time women were extremely repressed and Abigail was quite outspoken being one of the first to point out that how can the Americas free when slavery is still in practice. Also Abigail famously said to remember the ladies. Abigail is quite supportive of her husband but is never afraid to stand up to him and gives him advice when she can. Abigail is a lot like John in that she is passionate and not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what is right. However Abigail knows her boundaries and knows when she shouldn’t say something and is also affectionate and friendly leaving a lasting a friendship upon those she knew. Abigail is also shown as looking for the positives being the first person to remind John Adams that he is vice president when he is ranting about not being elected president. Abigail also manages to stay positive after the loss of her children being portrayed as two in the series but was actually four in real life. 

Post 4: The Portrayal

In the series John Adams is portrayed as being instrumental in the American Revolution but has noticeable flaws in comparison to other founding fathers. Adams is portrayed as being quite a passionate individual who is never afraid to stick up for his beliefs. On the other hand is extremely arrogant believing his beliefs are the only way forward this is his primary flaw. Adams has an extreme lack of diplomacy and places his politics above everything else which brings him many enemies and destroyed many of his relationships.  Adams is only truly happy when he is proven right and often acts like a spoilt child yelling and screaming when things don’t go his way and will defiantly do something as a result. One of Adam’s lowest moments for me was when he refused to attend the Inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, due to his own disappointment. I think that Adams should have showed face and instead he was very insolent and destroyed what was left of his reputation. Overall I liked Adam’s passion and his confidence but I do feel like what he greatly lacked and needed was diplomacy and humility as Abigail said “you need to watch your tongue”.

Post 3: The White House Years

John Adams’s four years in the white house is portrayed as being plagued with arguments, decisions and conflicting ideals. Adam’s neutrality on the Anglo-French war is shown to be his greatest issue throughout his presidency. Thomas Jefferson the vice president wishes to help the French due to their assistance in the revolutionary war and disagreements with Adam’s lead to a falling out between the two. On the other side is Alexander Hamilton who is extremely anti French and pro war as the ageing General Washington has made him his second in command. Adam’s infuriates and later alienates both sides by establishing a defensive armed forces and later withdrawing it in interest of peace. During his time in the white house Adam’s also suffers a personal tragedy when his second son Charles who suffered most from the departure of his parents  during the war and his father’s continual criticism sinks in alcoholism. After multiple failed business ventures including the loss of money given to him by his elder brother John Quincy he descends into poverty and after the departure of his wife and children his father disowns him. Charles later dies in the care of his sister and his wife to the devastation of Abigail who did not disown him rather visited him while he was ill. While in the presence of others John Adams refuses to acknowledge or grieve over the loss of his son but alone he breaks down in guilt and grief.

Post 2: The Continental Congress

In the series John Adams is portrayed as a very vocal member of the second continental congress and is a staunch defender of the idea of independence. John Adams is shown to be a great admirer of George Washington and his sense of duty when he sends troops to help defend Boston. Adams is highly instrumental in the selection of Washington to head of the Continental Army. I feel like this was one of Adams finest decisions.  Adams is of the belief that independence is the only way forward. Adams attacks one member of the congress for his Quaker and pacifist ideals calling him a "snake on his belly". Benjamin Franklin laments him for his comment saying insulting a man directly is only to be done in private.  This shows one of Adams primary flaws he is too blunt and rarely sugar coats things making enemies much quicker than making allies this doesn’t serve him well later on. While a few members of the Congress are extremely vocal about their views Adams and his fellow representatives are the only ones that remain concrete in their views. This serves them well as the entire congress bar New York who postpones vote for independence.

 

Post 1: A Controversial Decision

One of the most controversial decisions of John Adams in the series is to defend British soldiers involved in the Boston massacre in court. These soldiers were accused of firing at unarmed civilians and John Adams was their legal representation. Despite knowing that his decision will be vastly unpopular   Adams takes on the case as he believes that everyone deserves a fair trial as he holds up his strong belief in law and justice. Adams is quite a capable lawyer and with the help of his wife Abigail he wins the case.  After the soldiers have been acquitted an outbreak occurs in retaliation to the tea act with a colonist refusing to unload tea from a ship. The British official at the scene calls out the colonist for their actions and is stripped covered in hot tar and feathers while being ridiculed and jeered at by the colonists. The British soldiers are sent to be re tried in  Britain essentially undoing all of Adams hard work. As a result of Adam’s ridicule at the hands of the British he is elected  to the first continental congress as a representative for Boston. When I first saw that John Adams a known patriot defending British soldiers I thought it was contradictory as Adams was one of the first patriots to move towards independence. After I thought about it I decided that Adams was just following his personal beliefs of human rights which served him well in the future.

Welcome!

Hi Everyone I am Tom Ramsey and I will be blogging about the 2008 HBO series John Adams about the political Life of American President John Adams. The miniseries Stars Paul Giamatti as John Adams, Laura Linney as Abigail Adams, Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson and Rufus Sewell as George Washington. I will be posting 6 separate posts about 6 separate aspects of the miniseries these include:

           

      A Controversial Decision

          The Portrayal

            President and First Lady

           The Continental Congress

          The White House Years

         The Legacy of John Adams

The miniseries was positively received winning 13 Emmy’s, 4 Golden Globes and 3 Screen Actors guild awards.

Hope You Enjoy

All content belongs to HBO ;)