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Cover Art and Link to Episode |
Description |
Years Discussed |
Source Notes Link |
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2.01 – Adams Pre-Presidency Part One |
A brief overview of the history of the Adams family, and John Adams’s life to 1772 (1638-1772) |
1638-1772 |
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2.02 – Adams Pre-Presidency Part Two |
A brief overview of Adams’s career during the American Revolution, his tenure as a diplomat in Europe, and his service as Vice President |
1773-1797 |
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2.03 – The New Sheriff in Town |
Adams takes the oath of office but finds himself beset with problems from the very beginning, including a threat for his Cabinet to resign. |
1796-1797 |
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2.04 – Hither and Yon: The News From Abroad |
A brief overview of events in Britain, France, and Saint-Domingue that would impact the Adams presidency. |
1783-1797 |
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2.05 – Et Tu, France? |
The Adams administration learns of a break in diplomatic relations with France and works to determine an appropriate response as Adams cultivates sources of information in Europe independent of the State Dept. |
1796-1797 |
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2.06 – Scandals and Observations |
Abigail Adams arrives in Philadelphia as the first of the original six frigates of the US Navy is launched and Adams appoints peace commissioners to France. Meanwhile, scandal rocks the Senate and news of Hamilton’s extramarital affair becomes public. |
1792-1797 |
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2.07 – One Hand Washes the Other: The XYZ Affair |
The three commissioners sent by Adams arrive in France to begin negotiations but are under pressure from French Foreign Minister Talleyrand to pay a bribe in order to be officially recognized. |
1797-1798 |
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2.08 – Have At Thee! |
The Adams administration learns of the XYZ Affair, and the President is faced with the decision of whether or not to go to war. Meanwhile, partisan divisions lead to physical brawls on the floor of the House. |
1797-1798 |
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2.09 – All Around and Away They Go |
Adams & the Federalists are ascendant in Philadelphia as the public learns of the XYZ Affair but go a step too far. Meanwhile, other geopolitical developments slowly draw in the expansion-minded US. |
1797-1799 |
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2.095 – Abigail Adams |
The life and legacy of Abigail Adams as explored in narrative and in an interview with historian Feather Schwartz Foster. |
1744-1818 |
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2.10 – Checkmate: Hamilton |
Adams quickly comes to regret his naming George Washington as commander-in-chief of the US Army when Washington decides to appoint Alexander Hamilton as his second in command. Meanwhile, Gerry’s mission to France makes little headway as Talleyrand and Napoleon focus on plans to reestablish France as a major colonial power. |
1798 |
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2.11 – The Opposition Strikes Back |
The government is challenged with a temporary move to Trenton and with Secretary of War James McHenry having his position in the Cabinet undermined by General Alexander Hamilton. In Quincy, John Adams meets with Elbridge Gerry to learn more about the latest offer for diplomatic talks with the French while in Virginia, Vice President Jefferson and former Rep. James Madison plot how to oppose the Alien and Sedition Acts. |
1798 |
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2.12 – Ready, Aim, Fire! |
As the nation gears up for the possibility of war with France in 1798, President Adams is increasingly focused on the possibility of peace as he prepares his annual message to Congress. Meanwhile, a rising star in the French military suffers a major setback that imperils the French Republic’s position on the global landscape. |
1798 |
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2.13 – Destiny Written in the Stars |
Despite the wealth of evidence coming in of the sincerity of the French Directory in seeking peace, President Adams found himself at odds with his Secretary of State Timothy Pickering at the beginning of 1799 with Pickering continuing the push for war. Meanwhile, the US Navy proved its worth in protecting American shipping in the Caribbean just as relations with the British began a downward spiral once more. |
1797-1799 |
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2.14 – The Plausible Probability of Preserving the Peace |
dams throws the American political landscape into a frenzy with a special message to Congress announcing that he was appointing a new Minister to France to negotiate peace. While exploring what this all means for Adams, his administration, and the nation, we also take a step back in this episode to look at the influence of American policy in Saint-Domingue and South America on the realities and future of Franco-American relations in 1799. |
1798-1799 |
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2.15 – Hot Time, Summer in the Country |
John Adams makes a fateful decision that threatens his administration and its ability to react quickly to developing events. Meanwhile, General James Wilkinson’s past collusion with the Spanish is discovered by a government agent in the Mississippi Territory. Closer to home, Fries’s Rebellion comes to a close as harassment of Democratic-Republican newspaper editors ramps up. |
1797-1799 |
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2.16 – High Noon in Trenton |
To be released 24 Feb 2019 |
TBD |
Source Notes |
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2.17 – TBD |
To be released 10 Mar 2019 |
TBD |
Source Notes |
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2.18 – TBD |
To be released 24 Mar 2019 |
TBD |
Source Notes |
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2.19 – Adams Post-Presidency |
To be released 7 Apr 2019 |
TBD |
Source Notes |
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2.20 – Adams Q&A |
To be released Q2 2019 |
TBD |
Source Notes |
Some other sources for learning about our second president available online include:
- Adams National Historical Park [Adams’s birthplace, the birthplace of JQ Adams, and the Peacefield estate] (National Park Service)
- The Miller Center’s guide to the life and presidency of John Adams (University of Virginia)
- John Adams: A Resource Guide (Library of Congress)
- The Papers of John Adams at Founders Online
- Wikipedia article on John Adams (not recommended for citation, just for quick reference)
- Plodding Through the Presidents – a more humorous take on various facets of Adams’s life
- Presidential – John Adams: The Case of the Missing Monument (Washington Post)
- 10 American Presidents – The Election of 1800
- C-SPAN
Featured Image: John Adams by Gilbert Stuart (c.1800-1815), courtesy of Wikimedia
| 01: George Washington | 02: John Adams | 03: Thomas Jefferson |