Abigail Adams: Shaping the American Revolution
Abigail Adams was the wife and closest advisor of Founder of the United States John Adams. She was also the mother of John Quincy Adams, the second President of the United States. Her political views were too liberal for the delegates of the Continental Congress. In this article, we'll learn about the woman who shaped the American Revolution and how she became America's second first lady.
Early Life and Education
Abigail Adams's father was a liberal Congregational minister. She was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, the daughter of The Reverend William Smith and Elizabeth Quincy Smith. Her father was a minister at the North Parish Congregational Church. While she had no formal education, she benefited from the many books and lively conversations that filled the parsonage. Her lack of formal education embarrassed her and made her self-conscious. Nevertheless, she was an avid reader and a keen observer of history.
Motherhood and Political Career
Abigail Adams was extremely proud of her son, John Quincy Adams, who was precocious and had been groomed for a political career. Her son went on to become a U.S. senator from Massachusetts and served as minister to England and Prussia. She also mourned the death of her son, Charles, who died just before the presidential election.
Liberal Congregationalist Upbringing
Abigail Adams's father was regarded as a liberal Congregationalist and often exchanged pulpits with fellow minister Ebenezer Gay. While he did not preach the doctrines of predestination or original sin, he stressed the importance of morals and reason in the pursuit of truth. Abigail Adams's father encouraged her to read the church library. The family also employed a home tutor, Richard Cranch, a Harvard graduate who was devoted to teaching the sisters.
Advocacy for Women's Rights
Her views on women's rights were too progressive for the delegates to the Continental Congress. Abigail Adams wrote about women's rights to challenge the government of the United States and her husband to live up to the principles of revolution, including self-government for all. She argued that women were entitled to the same rights as men, and that laws governing men and women should be in accordance with their natural rights. She criticized the enslavement of African Americans, and the inequality of men and women, and called for women's rights to be protected by law.
Historical Influence and Legacy
Abigail Adams' views on women's equality are often referenced as historical figures. In a letter written to her husband, John Adams, in early 1776, Abigail urged the Continental Congress to consider women's rights in new laws. Abigail Adams' letter is still cited as one of the most influential women's rights documents of all time.
Travels and Family Letters
Abigail Adams was not a feminist, but she was deeply concerned about the status of women. She was especially concerned about access to formal education and greater protection for women. She allied with Judith Sargent Murray, who advocated for the rights of women, and saw mothers as essential role models for their sons. John Adams sought Abigail's advice on a wide variety of issues. She accompanied her husband on his travels throughout Europe for five years (1783-1788).
Letters to John Quincy Adams
Abigail Adams' letters to John Quincy Adams delve into issues of equality and women's rights. The letters highlight the injustices women faced, including exploitation at the hands of their husbands. They also call for the advancement of women and the protection of their rights as property owners. The letters are important historical documents because they reveal the daily lives of these women in America. They provide a unique insight into life in the first and second centuries of the republic. Abigail Adams' letters to John Quincy Adams give us a glimpse into the era before the American Revolution.
Rhetorical Techniques and Emotional Appeal
Abigail Adams uses rhetorical techniques to encourage her son to join the cause. She uses allusions to rivers and legendary figures to create an emotional appeal. She also uses patriotic allusions to evoke a sense of urgency. Abigail uses diction and language to emphasize her feelings of love and devotion for her son.
Life in Paris
Abigail Adams was nine years older than her husband, John Adams, and they had grown up in very different circumstances. As young adults, Abigail and John were "dearest friends," and they began a romantic relationship and had six children, two of which died in infancy. Their relationship was notable for the many ways that the two of them supported each other.
Letters and Observations from Paris
The first letters Abigail wrote to her nieces were very detailed and describe the architecture of theaters in Paris, the customs of French holiday celebrations, and even the landscape of the city. Although Abigail could have been accompanied by her husband, she was not allowed to leave Paris alone. While Benjamin Franklin and John Jay sought to foil Abigail's escape, Abigail remained in Paris for 18 months. In this time, letters were sent from London to New York, and she worked with other family members.
Adjustment and Cultural Differences
The first few years in Paris were a difficult adjustment. Abigail struggled to make friends, but soon learned that Paris was very different from her native country. Although she had few friends, she had many acquaintances in the city. She also became fascinated by the fashions worn by the Parisians.
