John Adams resource

I wanted to share some resources with you regarding this great Founder. I am a history freak and when I find something specifically that can enhance the understanding of this country I want to share it! I recently watched the HBO special ‘John Adams’. We ordered through Netflix. I recommend it; of course adults only. My husband even liked it! He thought he wouldn’t. I read the book by David McCullough years ago, but have now picked it up again. That’s also an excellent read. It’s rather large so some may enjoy it better as an audiobook, but I think it sheds so much light. He was a very prolific writer and gives so much insight. In fact, reading his works, even watching the movie, our society is put to shame for how we have desecrated the English language!

As far as the movie, some areas may offend the sensibilities, they did mine. There is a graphic and disturbing tar and feathering scene at the Boston Tea Party; I had no idea what it meant when I heard that term; well now I do. Another is a few curses, most gratuitous, but less than 10 in 7 hours (I’m disappointed how they had Adams take the L-rd’s name in vain in his older years as it seems way out of character, he was a devout Christian). Next, an intimate scene. Amazing though as it’s between an actual husband and wife! I just think it could have been left out, or done differently and still gotten the point across of how long they had been apart, yet faithful to one another. I think that’s it. One thing it made me think about was the sacrifice of family life these men experienced, mostly due to the amount of time traveling and communications took.

In my research I found a website that sells a collection of writings by Adams. I think it’s imperative to read these to get an understanding intent. I think his experiences are very valuable to us.I know Charlotte Mason talked about reading original documents, ‘living books’, personal writings from people with first hand knowledge. No, these aren’t in a narrative style, but they are first hand.

Here’s an example of one of the papers I read and it amazed me:

But first background:

*John Adams was a delegate from Massachusetts to the First Continental Congress and emerged as one of the leading advocates of independence. Early in 1776 the legislature directed the state’s delegates to the Continental Congress to seek out Adams’ ideas concerning a plan of government for North Carolina. Before returning to Halifax in late March for a meeting of the Provincial Congress, William Hooper, and John Penn separately asked Adam’s advice. Adams wrote his thoughts down for Hooper and gave a somewhat revised version to Penn. Hooper delivered his letter, entitled, Thoughts on Government, to Thomas Burke, the chairman of the committee to frame a state constitution. It remained among Burke’s papers that were collected for the North Carolina Historical Society and later came to the State Archives.

Although North Carolina received the first draft of the essay via Hooper, other colonies soon profited from Thoughts. Adams apparently wrote expanded versions for others before it was published as a pamphlet in April 1776. Thoughts on Government, considered one of Adam’s most influential Revolutionary writings, is thought to be, in part, the author’s response to Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, another influential Revolutionary era treatise published in January of 1776. Both men agreed that the time had come for independence. Adams, however, disagreed with Paine’s ridicule of the concept of checks and balances in government, believing firmly in constitutional controls whereby the separate branches of central government have limiting powers over one another. In 1776, fighting had already begun, and in May of that year Adams wrote the preamble for a resolution to encourage the colonies to form their own governments.*

Here’s the preamble:

http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch4s5.html

Here’s the site where I found, not just one writing, but a collection of Revolutionary writings of his! You can either read it online, or if like me prefer a book in hand, you may purchase:

http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=592&Itemid=27

Other foundational writings can be found through the site. Of course, those with little ones won’t be putting it into their hands but we must have the knowledge so we can talk to them about our country;before they even begin reading about it (remember we’re learning alongside too, having our thinking challenged, as I think all of us are a product of the gov’t school). I look forward to my children narrating, orally and in writing, these great writings that meant so much to our country’s past and now more than ever, mean so much to our future.

Let me know if the links don’t work or if I’ve bored you terribly!

Shalom,

Rachel