John Adams

by David McCullough

 

General Themes

1.  Adams and the other founders have a deep understanding of the classics.  Who were the great thinkers of classical antiquity in terms of philosophy, law and government? In our age have we neglected the study of the classics? An education rooted in the classics is a theme that is constantly repeated throughout the book as he is constantly advising first his son, and then others on the value of a good education.

 

Greece: Thucydides, Plato, Socrates, Demonsthenes, Aristotle’s Politics, Plutarch’s Lives, Lucian’s Dialogues, The Choice of Hercules in Xenophon, Homer’s Iliad, Euclid

 

Rome: Cicero’s Orations (mentioned the most), Terrance, Virgil (Aeneid), Sallust, Tacitus’ Agricola, Horace, Ovid, Caesar’s Commentaries, Livy

 

2.  Adams and the founders weren’t steeped in the classics in isolation.  Coming out of the Renaissance and into the Age of Enlightenment, the great thinkers of the time looked to antiquity to inspire their own theories and writings.

 

James Harrington, Shakespeare, Pope (An Essay on Man), Swift, Machiavelli, Montesquieu, Milton, Hume, Hobbes, La Rochefoucauld, Rousseau, Joseph Priestly, Samuel Johnson, Adam Smith, Voltaire, Newton, The English Constitution, Condorcet, Turgot, Mary Wollstonecraft’s French Revolution

 

3.  The nature of government, Republicanism v. Democracy.  Federalists v. Anit-federalists/Republicans.

 

4.  Compare the American and French Revolutions. Why were they so different? Why did they ignite such divide in the U.S?

 

5. Adams’s brilliance as a diplomat – (olive branch and arrows (the wood walls) to the French in the Quasi War), securing loans from the Dutch on his own initiative.

 

6. Discuss the impact of sectionalism and political parties in early America. How did the press play a role in this?

 

7. Adams’s thoughts on the virtue, personal characteristics and education are prominent throughout the book.  Link these back to Protestantism and other American characteristics.  This is most clearly elucidated in his comments about Europe, especially the French. What about Adam’s physical, dietary, spiritual and work practices? Are we missing these today?

 

Chapter One:

 

8. What are some of Admas’ key experiences as a youth? Consider the normal ones, death of father, marriage, education, Law Degree, but then in politics: Stamp Act and the Boston Massacre.

 

9. Describe his defense of the perpetrators of the Boston Massacre. Why is this an important step and insight into Adams character? What are some modern day parallels?

 

• Is this a political move? Or is it a call to support the Rule of Law. A high sense of virtue and justice and adherence to the Rule of Law.
• The Rule of Law trumps all.

 

Chapter Two:

 

10. Describe some of Adams initial impressions of Philadelphia

 

11. How was Congress split prior to The Revolution? How did Thomas Paine’s Common Sense change calculations?

 

12. Name some factors that contributed to the shift of those who initially resisted Independence?

– Continued Fighting, Lexington and Concord, Bunkers Hill

– Common Sense

– Failure of Diplomatic Envoy

– Perceived success on the Battlefield

 

Chapter Three:

 

13. Discuss the character and moral courage of John Dickinson.

 

14. What were some of the initial challenges after signing the Declaration of Independence?

 

15. Discuss the need for a standing army, how do you think that debate will change after the victory in war?

 

Chapter Four

 

16. Describe Adams trip across the Atlantic.

 

17. What were some of Adams initial impressions of France?

 

Chapter Five

 

18. What were the core interests for both the French and Americans at the time of the Revolution? How did this lead to Adams moving to The Netherlands?

 

19.  After victory in the War for Independence, what were the priorities of all emissaries in Europe?

 

Chapter Six

 

20. Describe the relationship developed between Adams and Jefferson while they were in Europe. What were some of the differences? Consider Abiagails Adams initial perceptions of French society vs. Jefferson. How do you think that will play out in future policy perspectives?

 

Chapter Seven

 

21. In this chapter, the philosophical differences on government between Jefferson and Adams emerge. It is truly rooted in one issue (albeit a large one) What is it? Why is this important?

 

22. Also, in this chapter we begin to witness some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Give some examples that Adams faced that stemmed from such weaknesses?

 

Chapter Eight

 

23. What were some of Adams impressions upon returning to the States? Any parallels with other periods in history?

 

24. Who is “His Rotundity?” Why was he called that? How did this lead to the devolution in the relationship between Jefferson and Adams? What were some of the issues the two men differed on?

 

25. Why is the issue of State debts so important? Consider Alexander Hamilton’s viewpoints on the manner? In this era, all must be seen through a lens of state vs. Federal Rights? Consider each side of the argument in 1790 America. Which needed to be stronger? Why?

 

26. Why was the French Revolution so close to the American people? How did the French Revolution represent a broader issue for young America?

 

27. Describe the role of a partisan press in the development of factions? How is this different than the press is today?

 

Chapter Nine

 

28. Was it a good idea for Adams to keep holdovers from Washington’s Cabinet? Why?

 

29. What was Adams position on War with France? How was he being pressured from The Federalist “Base” on the issue? What did Adams do to counter such pressures? How did the letter from the envoy change the nature of the discussion?

 

30. What was Adams position on a strong Navy? Army? Discuss through the lens of Federalist/ Anti-Federalist

 

31. What were the Alien and Sedition Acts? Why was this a bad idea?

 

Chapter Ten

 

32. In this chapter there is a true threat to civilian rule of the military. Who threatened this axiom? Discuss the meeting between Hamilton and Adams and relations with France?

 

33. On page 527 Adams states: “Genius in a general is oftener an instrument of divine vengeance than a guardian angel.” What does he mean by this? Compare with Adams belief in a strong Navy.

 

34. Describe how the insults thrown at both Adams and Jefferson during campaign season represented broader and cultural discussions of the time.

 

35. Why was the election the end of the Federalist Party? Would you describe Adams as a moderate or a partisan?

 

Chapter Eleven

 

36. What role did Adams play in the Louisiana Purchase?

 

37. Discuss the importance of the letters between Jefferson and Adams at this time?

 

38. Final Question: Adams had many accomplishments in his life, describe what you feel was his most important in Domestic Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Economics, and as a Leader?