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An Introduction to the Correspondence Between John and Abigail Adams

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An Introduction to the Correspondence Between John and Abigail Adams 1 An Introduction to the correspondence between John and Abigail Adams 2 The roughly 1200 letters of correspondence between John and Abigail Adams traces one of the most 3 fascinating, romantic, and inspirational partnerships in American history. He was her “Lysander” (a 4 famous Greek military hero) and she was his “Miss Adorable.” More importantly, they were both each 5 other’s “Dearest Friend.” 6 John and Abigail were incredibly close and their correspondence proves it. The letters, written over 50 7 years of marriage, reveal a marriage that was full of affection, intimacy, mutual respect, humor, and 8 love. Additionally, these exchanges provide readers with a unique window into the founding of the 9 United States and into the lives of two of its founders. Not only was Abigail John Adams’ wife and true 10 love, she was his intellectual equal and they shared a common outlook on the world. Their letters record 11 conversations about the American independence and the Revolutionary War, the rights of women and 12 the immorality of slavery. She was as his primary political advisor and managed their household when 13 he was often away from home. 14 Following the end of his political career, John and Abigail retired together at their home in 15 Massachusetts. No more letters were written. 1 Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams 2 March 31, 1776 3 4 I long to hear that you have declared an independency—and by the way in the 5 new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire 6 you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them 7 than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the cruel and oppressive ruler 8 Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care 9 and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, encourage or start 10 and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or 11 Representation. 12 13 That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to 14 admit of not dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the disagreement 15 harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend. Why then, 16 not put it out of the power of the vicious and the Lawless to use us with cruelty 17 and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs without regard for others 18 which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed hate, despise 19 by providence under your protection and in imitation of the Supreem Being 20 make use of that power only for our happiness. 21 22 Note: The spelling and language has not been changed. 23 1 Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams 2 April 14, 1776 3 4 As to your extraordinary Code of Laws, I cannot but laugh. We have been told that 5 our Struggle has loosened the bands of Government everywhere. That Children and 6 Apprentices were disobedient—that schools and Colledges were grown 7 turbulent—that Indians slighted their Guardians and Negroes grew insolent to their unstable/ rebellious 8 Masters. 9 10 But your Letter was the first Intimation that another Tribe more numerous and warning 11 powerfull than all the rest were grown discontented. –This is rather too coarse a 12 Compliment but you are so saucy, I wont blot it out. 13 14 Depend upon it, We know better than to repeal our Masculine systems. Altho they 15 are in full Force, you know they are little more than Theory. We dare not exert our 16 Power in its full Latitude. We are obliged to go fair, and softly, and in Practice required 17 you know We are the subjects. We have only the Name of Masters, and rather than women ruling as tyrants; a 18 give up this, which would completely subject Us to the Despotism of the Peticoat, I petticoat is an underskirt 19 hope General Washington, and all our brave Heroes would fight. I am sure every 20 good Politician would plot, as long he would against Despotism, Empire, forms of government where 21 Monarchy, Aristocracy, Oligarchy, or Ochlocracy. – many groups of people are treated unfairly 22 23 Note: The spelling and language has not been changed. 24 25 Text-Dependent Questions Name of Text: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31, 1776; Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 14, 1776 Question Composers: Temoca Dixon and Marcia Motter Nevade State Standards: H2.[6-8].13 CCSS: RHST.6-8.1, RHST.6-8.2, RHST.6-8.6, RHST.6-8.10; WHST.6-8.2, WHST.6-8.9; SL.7.1, SL.7.2; L.7.1 Questions in Finalized Order Teacher Notes and Possible Answers Reread both letters. As you are reading, underline, circle, or highlight the words Letter 1: perticuliar , Laidies, Rebelion, Supreem that are spelled incorrectly. Letter 2: Colledges, powerfull, wont, Altho, Peticoat Talk with a partner and consider why these words might have been spelled Teacher’s Note: Noah Webster published the first American English Dictionary in 1828. The differently in these two letters. dictionary formalized the spelling of words, modified British spellings (ie: colour to color/ centre to center/ wagon to wagon) and added American words like “skunk” and “squash.” Webster’s work formalized the spelling of words in American English. Who wrote the first letter and to whom was it written? Letter 1, Line 1 – Abigail Adams to John Adams Who wrote the second letter and to whom was it written? Letter 2, Line 1- John Adams to Abigail Adam About how much time has pass between the writing of the two letters? Letter 1, Line 2 compared to Letter 2, Line 2= about 2 weeks Students consider the sources and the time period in which these two letters were written. They will notice that it is correspondence between a husband and wife and that the time between the letters is about two weeks. They also might notice the year, 1776, and that it is close to the date of the declaration of American Independence. Abigail Adams is expressing her hope that the 2nd Continental Congress will Line 5-7: I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and declare American independence from Great Britain. What is she hoping for in favourable to them than your ancestors. this declaration? Line 7-8: unlimited power would not be put into the hands of Husbands, all What evidence from the text describes her hopes for “an independency”? men would be tyrants if they could What evidence from the text describes her concerns if her hopes are not addressed? Line 9: if women are not paid attention too, they will “foment a Rebelion” and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.” The connection she makes to American independence and women’s’ rights is the primary claim within her letter. It sets the tone for the rest of her letter and Angela Orr, 2012 Questions in Finalized Order Teacher Notes and Possible Answers for the response by her husband, John Adams in the second letter. Students will recognize that Abigail Adams was an early advocate for women’s rights. In line 8, Abigail Adams claims that “all Men would be tyrants if they could” Line 14-15: give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing and that it is a truth “so thoroughly established” that it is indisputable (lines 13- one of Friend. 14). In the second paragraph (lines 13-20), what solutions does she offer for Line 18-20: Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your solving this “thoroughly established problem? protection and in imitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness. She pleads that Master become a friend and that if men would only imitate God, they would use their power only to make women happy. In Abigail’s letter on line 18, what words could be substituted for “your Sex?” your manliness, your gender, your masculinity On line 16, Abigail Adams writes that “it” should be “put out of power.” What It refers to: is it, and how does she refer to it throughout her letter? Line 7: men’s unlimited power, Line 8: men’s tyrannical behavior She refers to it in several instances: Line 13: men are Naturally Tyrannical, Line 15: Masters, Line 16: vicious and Lawless, Line 18: they consider women vassals This question generates several examples of men’s tyrannical behavior. From this, students will be able to recognize the strong and negative opinion Abigail has of the way husbands treat their wives, men treat the ladies. The word providence (line 19) describes the idea of being placed under the care Ideas describing providence: Line 15 “endearing one of Friend,” Line 18-19 and guidance of God. What words or phrases in the second paragraph illustrate “regard us as Beings placed by providence under your protection” Line 19-20” this idea? imitate the Supreem Being, make use of that power for women’s happiness. What words or phrases from the same paragraph describe the opposite idea of Ideas describing the opposite: Line 13 “Tyrannical,” Line “harsh title of providence? Master,” Line 16, “power of the vicious and the lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity.” Line 18 “vassals of your Sex” Now consider the evidence you gathered and write two sentences describing: 1.
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