John Adams

John Adams, a miniseries produced by HBO Max in the Spring of 2008, portrays events from the influential Founding Father's life and concludes with his death at age 90. David McCollough's 2001 biography of John Adams influenced the creation of this critically acclaimed series. It helped ensure that the show accurately depicted John Adams, portrayed by Paul Giamatti, and his political and social surroundings. The episodes offer a glimpse into early American life and the thoughts and concerns of the Founding Fathers through an intriguing and dramatic television miniseries. John Adams covers the period in American history from 1770 to 1826, through the start of tensions between the American colonies and their mother country, England, through Revolution and freedom, into John Adams' presidency, until his eventual death in a historically factual manner. John Adams follows the events of the time period closely. There are various on-screen references to actual events from history, like tar and feathering, a common colonial punishment, and popular medical practices of the 18th century, such as bloodletting and amputation, leading to the death of a sailor in episode three after he loses too much blood from the remnants of his leg. The series focuses on specific details inside the big picture, which adds to the realism of the setting and characters. George Washington's rotting teeth are a popular historical urban legend, but he was not the only Founding Father with poor dental hygiene. John Adams also suffered from decaying teeth, represented in the later episodes of the miniseries. Many of the speeches, letters read aloud, and important bits of dialogue are taken from archives to present the facts. In an interview, the show's director advises, "where we have best records is in Congress, or in you know, public political meetings... I think the areas where one has to, you know, invent most is in the most intimate scenes.” These details help make the HBO miniseries more reliable as a realistic account of early American history. In the Pilot episode, "Join or Die," John Adams rushes to the defense of the condemned British soldiers who took part in the Boston Massacre, a real-life event in which Adams intervened to postpone the Revolutionary War. With inflamed tempers from both the American colonists and the British citizens, Adams' defense was the only logical way to calm the argument. In both the show and reality, Adams draws attention to the reasoning for shots fired in the first place. He explains that children were throwing snowballs at a single sentry officer, but this escalates and draws a crowd who shout taunts and insults at the soldier and throw rocks and ice at him. The officer leaves to get his commander to deal with the situation and returns with several other soldiers and the commander. Upon seeing more redcoats, the crowd of citizens continues taunting and shouting things like "fire" to confuse the officers, who answer the call and shoot into the crowd. As the smoke clears, five people are found dead. In his legal defense of the soldiers, Adams says they were concerned for their safety, explaining that the soldiers heard the order and obeyed, unaware that it was not their commander issuing it. Although Adams successfully defends the soldiers, he recognizes that this might be the final breaking point before the Revolution. Another historic detail used in this episode comes from an engraving of the Boston Massacre made by Paul Revere. This artistic rendition was widely published in newspapers to gain traction for the Revolution, so the fact that the series depicts Adams viewing it adds another layer of historical accuracy. Tensions between America and the Crown continue to rise in the second episode of the series, "Independence." After John Adams bears witness to warfare at the first two battles of Lexington and Concord firsthand, he explains the importance of supporting the Revolution to his fellow congressional delegates. While others consider extending an olive branch to the king, Adams realizes that a war is the only way to assert human rights for the American citizens. On June 17, 1775, the Battle of Bunker Hill occurred in Charlestown, Massachusetts, with a makeshift colonial army including farmers, merchants, slaves, and free men. Dr. Warren takes his place among these men, rallies their spirits, and fights off the British, although he ultimately perishes in battle. Many people consider him a hero for his valiance. Adams uses the tragedy of the death of his friend and physician, Dr. Warren, a general at the battle of Bunker Hill, to justify why Congress needs to support the Massachusetts militia and form an American army. With Adams' persuasion, Congress agrees that they must protect the citizens of the colonies and that war with England is a necessity. As such, the Continental Army forms. Along with this new military, Adams nominates George Washington as commander, a position which Washington accepts modestly. In a letter the historical John Adams sent to his wife on June 17, 1775, he writes, "I can now inform you that the Congress have made Choice of the modest and virtuous, the amiable, generous and brave George Washington Esqr., to be the General of the American Army." Adams is a member of Congress that votes unanimously to bestow the commanding title to Washington. Therefore, the second episode demonstrates historical facts. The American Revolution has broken out by the third episode, and America requires assistance to fight off the British. Congress determines that American representatives should talk to the French and create a treaty; the French dislike the British, so the US anticipates France joining the American cause. Adams and his eldest son, John Quincy, set sail for France to build an alliance versus their common enemy of England. Benjamin Franklin accompanies him, and the French seem to much prefer the Enlightenment inventor to Adams. In addition to speaking their language, unlike Adams, who can hardly count in French, Franklin understands their mannerisms. Franklin knows how to act around nobility. Adams is clueless and almost ruins the treaty because he is uncomfortable with the Frenchmen and believes that Franklin is wasting time forming relationships with them, which also seems based on actual historical events. Franklin was much loved in France, becoming the sole minister there, and people barely remember Adams' contributions. Upon his return to the newly formed United States in the fourth episode, "Reunion," John Adams receives the news that elections are commencing for the new government, including the position of President. A friend who has governmental pull relays that he is eager to put Adams's name forward for this position, among others, “We need men who will unite us.” Adams loses the popular vote, ensuring George Washington as the first President. However, with the second most number of votes, Adams receives the office of Vice President due to policy at that time. Washington is from Virginia, and Adams is from Massachusetts. Their combined leadership shows the states that the South and North are equal. Although he would prefer to receive the position given to Washington, Adams accepts that he won second place and acts out his role as Vice President, hoping his endeavors will help win him the next election. In the fifth episode, set in 1793, politics becomes contentious again in America. In France, inspired by the Revolution in America, citizens began to revolt and execute people in positions of power. The French Revolution negatively influenced other European monarchs, who worried they would face the same fate as King Louis XVI. The French ambassador to the United States, Edmund-Charles Genêt, riles up American crowds to gain support for his country's cause, much to President Washington's dismay. To assist the French would be to challenge England once more and lose the ability to trade with European countries, something that would be detrimental to the American economy in its infancy. Washington sets up a meeting with Ambassador Genêt to explain that he cannot condone America getting involved with the rioting French people. Genêt is rightfully upset, as his country offered Americans ample support through their Revolution and expected similar treatment in their freedom effort. Meanwhile, England fears they must counteract the French Revolution by attacking France. Washington feels compelled to make a choice that Adams suggests, to write a statement of neutrality to prove America does not support England or France in their conflict. As Adams explains, "to be drawn into war with either France or England when our own confederation is still so fragile would be suicidal." Washington leaves office, weary from the stress, which promotes Adams as a Presidential candidate again. This second time around, Adams wins the election. He inherits the problems regarding the French Revolution that Washington left behind. In "Unnecessary War," the sixth episode of the series, Adams is settling into his new role as President while determining the best method to keep America safe and out of a European conflict. Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of Treasury, is a part of The Federalist Party, which opposes helping France in their Revolution. The Federalists believe we are no longer obligated to France since their signed treaty in 1778 was with a monarch who is now deceased. Jefferson, the current Vice President, argues with his Democratic-Republican party that France requires American help. He believes the states must adhere to the agreement made in 1778 offering their services to the rebellion. Adams is confused by the differing opinions of his two advisors and knows that he must keep his new country safe, which means he cannot aid nor attack France. America must stay neutral in the European conflict. To ensure the safety of America and prevent getting involved, Adams puts forth the Alien and Sedition Acts, which consists of four laws that assist in removing any French citizens from America. The Acts prevent immigrants from voting and allow deportation and imprisonment of foreign individuals who might seek to rally American support as Ambassador Genêt had done. This action triggers the Quazi-War with France, although the series John Adams does not show this. In the concluding episode of the series, "Peacefield," Adams wraps up the affairs of his life by writing memoirs of the service he offered to his country. In the episode prior, Adams loses his son, Charles, due to a medical complication from his alcoholism. In the final episode, Adams loses, in rapid succession, both his daughter Nabby to breast cancer, and his wife just after their 54th wedding anniversary. Her death is especially heartbreaking when taking Adams' last words to her into account. He calls her his "dearest friend,” the title that Adams and his wife bestow upon one another and use in their letters to each other. The deaths of his children and wife inspire Adams to get back in touch with his old colleague and Presidential successor, Thomas Jefferson, at the suggestion of Benjamin Rush, as seen in the series. Rush is recognized historically for his assistance in amending the relationship between Adams and Jefferson after their separation. In the show, he refers to them as "the North and the South Poles of our revolution." Following a particularly vicious Presidential campaign for the Election of 1800, widely regarded as the most savage and personal of all Presidential contests, it is a miracle that Adams and Jefferson can put aside their differences and become close once more. This final episode shows just how strong their alliance was. Aside from dying on the same day, coincidentally Independence Day, Adams's last words acknowledge Jefferson. Each of the seven episodes shows extreme similarities to the factual events that John Adams lived through. Adams and Jefferson remain allies, despite political differences and rifts that strain their friendship over the years. The series also identifies Jefferson as an Enlightenment inventor. He factually created the first swivel chair and a device that duplicates a document as it is handwritten. The HBO series John Adams shows both inventions and depicts Jefferson using them. Another similar character who upholds the beliefs of her historical counterpart is John Adam's wife, Abigail Adams, played by Laura Linney. Not only does she continuously mention her support for equality between men and women to Adams, but she also advocates for the abolishment of slavery. The real Abigail Adams also held these beliefs, which earned her the moniker "first feminist.” In the second episode of the series, George Washington has a conversation with Abigail. He confesses concern for his army as they fight the British and Hessian allies to the Crown. Abigail asks if he thinks their losses may be "punishment for the sin of slavery?" The fact that she feels confident enough to say this to a man in a high position of power shows just how intolerable she thinks slavery was, which was unique among individuals of upper and middle class during the time. In episode six, Adams, who is currently the President, and his wife move to the newly constructed White House. Abigail glances sorrowfully several times at the slaves who are working on the final details of the castle-like building and who carry her luggage inside. There are no words spoken throughout this exchange, but none need to be, as Linney conveys perfectly the attitude of Abigail Adams towards individuals of lower social status. HBO Max's miniseries John Adams exemplifies how to portray the Founding Fathers through cinema. Each episode provides insight into a particular political challenge or historical figure's ambitions and belief systems. It takes viewers through the pivotal events of John Adams' lifetime and how his contributions helped shape modern-day America. It highlights early America's struggles and triumphs while staying as historically accurate as possible and offering an entertaining and educational television show.