John Adams (2008) and the True Meaning of American Patriotism

As children, we were all taught about the accomplishments of America’s Founding Fathers. How George Washington led the Patriots to victory against the British Army and Navy; how Benjamin Franklin created bifocal glasses and the lightning rod; and how Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence. Two of the three men listed above even became presidents (Washington as the first and Jefferson as the third), and all three of them were featured on U.S. currency. But we hardly ever talk about the man who was number two, the man whose name is overshadowed by both his predecessors and successors. I always thought we were never taught about Adams because he wasn’t as important as the others. But little did I know that Adams was the man behind the entire war and cause for American independence.

Based on David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, HBO released a miniseries celebrating John Adams’ life and accomplishments from his humble beginnings to his years after his presidency. Before he became the second president of the United States, John Adams (played by Paul Giamatti) was a lawyer who emphasized the importance of law and truth. In fact, he was the defense attorney for the British soldiers and their commanding officer, Captain Preston, who were responsible for the infamous Boston Massacre, much to the chagrin of his far more radical cousin and leader of the Sons of Liberty, Samuel Adams (played by Danny Huston). After acquitting Captain Preston and his men, he soon bears witness to the Intolerable Acts as penance for the Boston Tea Party. This spurs him into joining the First Continental Congress to represent Massachusetts at the nomination of Samuel.

Unlike many political hardliners who would follow him (especially in our time), John Adams knew when to reconsider his stances. Despite his belief that law and governance shall triumph, John confides in his wife, Abigail (played by Laura Linney), of his immovable support for independence from Great Britain after witnessing the atrocities at Lexington and Concord. Mind you, these are not the professionally trained soldiers of the British Army; these are mere civilians, some of them even young lads who fought and died defending the one thing that no one can strip away: their freedom. Unfortunately, he and Samuel face staunch opposition from the Loyalist faction in Congress led by the pedantic John Dickinson, who desires peace and unification with Great Britain and King George III. John quickly becomes frustrated with the inefficient delegation of Congress. After the disastrous Battle of Bunker Hill, Adams proposes the establishment of the Continental Army led by General George Washington (played by David Morse), chosen specifically for his ability to put his duty to his people above all else.

It’s here where Congress receives a letter from King George III, who offers an olive branch to those who would lay down their arms and accept subjugation. Those who continue fighting, on the other hand, would be sentenced to death by hanging. Most politicians would’ve backed down. Even with George Washington leading them, the Continental Army still lacked the years of formal training and was much more ill-equipped than the British. But not John Adams. He, Thomas Jefferson (played by Stephen Dillane), and Dr. Benjamin Franklin (played by Tom Wilkinson) believed that independence was a must—that no one should be able to take away their freedom to self-govern. After the Continental victories at the Battles of Saratoga, Franklin and Adams departed for France to ask for aid. Even though Franklin is a beloved figure in France, it’s here where we see Adams’ shortcomings. Adams’ honesty and desperation almost cost them the crucial French support, hence the reason why Franklin sent him back home.

You might be wondering, if John Adams was such an important historical figure, then why don’t we see his face on the dollar bill or minted coins? Well, even though John Adams was an exemplary, honest lawyer and key Founding Father, his presidency was rather checkered. Perhaps the most controversial moment of his presidency was his signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. These acts made it legal to imprison immigrants and censor political dissent aimed at the federal government. You can guess why these laws were unpopular. In fact, it’s one of the reasons why neoconservatives today see similarities between John Adams and Donald Trump. They, however, ignore the fact that Adams deeply regretted signing the Alien and Sedition Acts and considered their repeal the highest point of his presidency. They also overlook Adams’ honesty and love for law and order. Had Adams been alive today, he would have been absolutely appalled to see a demagogue like Trump in power and would consider him a danger to the nation. Then again, these are the same morons who misappropriate the Gadsden Flag, an iconic American symbol that stood against the unfair taxation of the British, into a pathetic attempt at rebranding themselves as “classical liberals” while bending the knee to a man who doesn’t give a rat’s ass about the people he serves.

There aren’t many miniseries, movies, or full-length TV shows out there that remain historically faithful while keeping you glued to your seat. But beyond celebrating John Adams’ life and legacy, this miniseries teaches us what it means to be a patriot. True patriotism isn’t blind love for your country or unwavering loyalty to its president. It’s an unconditional love that allows you to love your country for its highs while also being allowed to address and criticize its faults. It’s the kind of love that makes you wish the very best for your country, no matter what the cost may be. John Adams knew the importance of independence and never stopped fighting for it, despite the threat of death should they fail. John Adams may not have been a perfect president, but he was a heavily nuanced man with strong values. America as a nation would never be independent today had it not been for his tireless efforts. It’s a shame children were never taught the full history of American Independence because, if you ask me, John Adams was a man who represented the true meaning of American patriotism.