All About...

Abigail Adams

By: Miss Leffert

Abigail Adams Quick Facts

Date of Birth: November 22, 1744

Birthplace: Weymouth, Massachusetts Bay, British America

Date of Death: October 28, 1818

Place and reason of death: Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.Typhoid fever

Famous Quotes:
“If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or representation."
“All Men would be tyrants if they could.”

Claim to Fame

Abigail Adams, born Abigail Smith, was a first and second lady. Her husband was John Adams.

She had 6 children. The most famous being her son John Quincy Adams.

While her husband and son were away overseas for John's work, she wrote letters to them. The letter to her husband was one of her most famous pieces of writing.

This letter was her claim to fame with the women's movement during the American Revolution. She advised her husband to "not forget the ladies" when creating new laws for their new land.

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How she relates to Federalism

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Abigail Adams was apart of the Federalist Party. This did not mean that she was all for Federalism but she supported some ideas of large central government instead of one person ruling over many.

She made many decisions with her husband and consulted with him when he had to make presidential decisions. Many people caught on to this and started referring to Abigail as "Mrs. President".

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Her Letters

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Abigail's letters to her husband were comprised into a book. Many historians believe that this book is the most read book that contained political input from a woman from that era of history.

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Many people thought that her line "remember the ladies" was meant to give women the right the vote. This was far from the truth. She really just wanted equality in marriage and everyday life.

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Mrs. President Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3zvT3r_640

This video gives good insight into what Abigail's goal was when writing letters to her husband. It also talks about her political position during the time.

A reading of her letter to her husband on March 31, 1776

I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you; and tell me if you may where your Fleet are gone? What sort of Defence Virginia can make against our common Enemy? Whether it is so situated as to make an able Defence? Are not the Gentery Lords and the common people vassals, are they not like the uncivilized Natives Brittain represents us to be? I hope their Riffel Men who have shown themselves very savage and even Blood thirsty; are not a specimen of the Generality of the people.
I am willing to allow the Colony great merit for having produced a Washington but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore.
I have sometimes been ready to think that the passion for Liberty cannot be Equally Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs. Of this I am certain that it is not founded upon that generous and christian principal of doing to others as we would that others should do unto us.
I long to hear that you have declared an independency -- and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend. Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the
Lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection and in imitation of the SupremeBeing make use of that power only for our happiness.

Struggles without John

With a busy law practice, John spent a lot of time away from home. This situation only worsened as he became an active member of the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War. Abigail was often left to carry much of the burden at home, raising their children and caring for the family farm. It is believed that they exchanged more than 1,100 letters.

As John was busy hammering out a new government, Abigail expressed concern about how women would be treated. Abigail often expressed her thoughts on political matters with her husband. Throughout her husband's career, Abigail served as his unofficial adviser. Their letters show him seeking her counsel on many issues, including his presidential aspirations.

Abigail struggled at home because quite a few men in town laughed at her. They did not like her efforts in changing how women participated in society.

A Gallery of the Great

This Getty Image gallery comprises hundreds of images and paintings of Abigail Adams, her tomb, and many actors who have portrayed her in various movies and TV shows. Looking through this gallery would broaden your understanding of how much people admired her and her work.

https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/abigail-adams?phrase=abigail%20adams&sort=mostpopular

Why I Chose Abigail Adams

I chose Abigail Adams as an important figure in Federalism and the Federalist movement because she was one of the first and most important figures of women empowerment in the United States.

While some of her writings have been miscommunicated, it is clear that she wanted women to have similar rights as men when it came to family and community rights.