Of all John Adams' published writings, two works provide an especially fruitful resource for an inquiry into his deepest political reflection. Imacon Color Scanner As a political writer, John Adams is most remembered today for the constitutional prescriptions by which he helped to solidify the American Revolution. His Thoughts on Government was widely circulated [...]
The happiness of society is the end of government. From this principle it will follow, that the form of government, which communicates ease, comfort, security, or in one word happiness to the greatest number of persons, and in the greatest degree, is the best. Editor’s Note: On the fourteenth day of January, 1784, the Revolutionary War ended as [...]
In The Conservative Mind, John Quincy Adams appears as a flawed, failed conservative. Though he “felt the pressing necessity for conservative principle in the conduct of American affairs,” Adams “never quite discovered how to fix upon it.” This is a serious judgment, given how much of Adams’ life and attention was dedicated to conducting American [...]
Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, and as such they have, and of right [...]
Poor John Adams. He will almost always stand in the shadows of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. He will always be remembered first and foremost as a dumpy bulldog, a failed president, and the husband of Abigail Adams. And yet… and yet… there was a true and uncommon genius about the man. David McCulloch did [...]
John Adams was the most traditionalist of the American Founders and arguably the finest scholar among them. Perhaps because of this traditionalism, his immense contribution to the Founding goes largely unrecognized today. John Adams and the Spirit of Liberty, by C. Bradley Thompson, Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 1998. John Adams (1735-1826) was the [...]
John Adams was a true statesman, committed to republican principles, conducting himself in a virtuous manner that served the public good. Without him, it is entirely possible that there would be no United States of America. What kind of person is worthy of being called a “statesman”? What type of character, what accomplishments, what life [...]
John Adams has finally gotten the fame he craved, but it was a long time coming over a rough road. Already as a young man he tortured himself thinking about a future without fame. John Adams has finally gotten the fame he craved, but it was a long time coming over a rough road. Already [...]
John Adams’ public life makes for a compelling story. Consider the number of firsts that he is associated with during the early days of the republic. Once Forgotten Founding Father and Philosopher President Makes a Comeback…. Why? Ten years ago, David McCullough told audiences something that still has the capacity to surprise us. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author said [...]