Skip to Main Content

John Adams: Thoughts on Government | Primary Source Close Reads Explained

What is the purpose of government? In this episode of Primary Source Close Reads Explained, Kirk examines John Adams’ ‘Thoughts on Government,’ written in April 1776, just before the Declaration of Independence.

In it, Adams explores what type of government is best and how happiness can be ensured through it. According to Adams, how do we form the best kind of republic? What is the key to its success? Were these ideals on government included in the Articles of Confederation, or the US Constitution?

Related Resources

Video

Reading the Sedition Act of 1798 | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI

30 Min

In the first installment of this two-part close reading on Sedition Acts, BRI staff members Joshua Schmid and Tony Williams discuss the highly controversial Sedition Act of 1798, which arrived at a particularly tumultuous time in American history. In light of growing diplomatic tension between the United States and France, President John Adams and the Federalists feared that if war were to ultimately break out, the Jeffersonians would be disloyal towards America​. For this reason, the Sedition Act severely limited people’s ability to freely and publicly criticize the American government. Join Tony and Joshua as they explore the important constitutional implications of this first Sedition Act for the young republic!