Letters and Documents Flashcards
Who were John and Abigail Adams, and how long were they married?
John and Abigail Adams, described as the “original power couple,” were married on October 24, 1764, and remained together until John’s death on October 28, 1818. Their marriage was marked by affection and mutual respect.
What was Thoughts on Government, and why was it written?
Thoughts on Government was written by John Adams in April 1776 in response to a request from the North Carolina Provincial Congress for suggestions on establishing a new government and drafting a constitution.
Who was John Quincy Adams, and how was he related to John and Abigail Adams?
John Quincy Adams was the son of John and Abigail Adams and served as the sixth President of the United States.
What significant roles did John Adams play in early American government?
John Adams was the first Vice President and the second President of the United States. He was also a key supporter of independence for the Thirteen Colonies.
According to John Adams in Thoughts on Government, why is a single legislative assembly dangerous?
A single legislative assembly is dangerous because it is prone to vices such as greed, ambition, and arbitrary law-making, and lacks the necessary secrecy, dispatch, and legal expertise to govern effectively.
What did Abigail Adams urge John Adams to consider in the new laws for independence in her March 31, 1776 letter?
Abigail Adams urged John Adams to “Remember the Ladies” and be more generous toward women in the new laws, warning that women would foment rebellion if not given a voice in government.
What alternative does John Adams propose to a single assembly in Thoughts on Government?
John Adams proposes a separate council, elected by ballot, to act as a check on the legislative assembly, ensuring that the government is not controlled by a single, potentially corrupt body.
In Abigail Adams’s letter, what does she say about men’s natural tendencies in terms of power?
Abigail Adams states that “all Men would be tyrants if they could,” and urges John to prevent men from having unlimited power over women in the new legal code.
How does John Adams respond to Abigail’s suggestion to “Remember the Ladies” in his April 14, 1776 letter?
John Adams responds playfully, saying he laughs at her suggestion and notes that men still hold theoretical power, though in practice, they are often the subjects of women.
How did John Adams describe the state of affairs in Virginia in his April 14, 1776 letter to Abigail?
John Adams described Virginia as having a rich gentry and poor common people, with a strong militia and the ability to make firearms and powder. He noted that while Virginia had been duped by Lord Dunmore, they were determined to resist British forces.
What does John Adams humorously refer to in his letter regarding women’s potential rebellion?
John Adams humorously refers to women as “another Tribe more numerous and powerful” than all others, suggesting that their demands for new privileges are part of a larger upheaval sparked by the revolution.
How did John Adams view the role of “Common Sense” in the political processes of Virginia’s aristocracy?
John Adams observed that Virginia’s aristocratic gentry had a strong aversion to “Common Sense,” but believed their aristocratic spirit was coming down and would eventually have to submit.
What did Abigail Adams express concern about in her March 31, 1776 letter regarding society in Virginia?
Abigail Adams expressed concern that the Virginia gentry were like “Lords,” while the common people were “vassals,” and wondered if their passion for liberty was as strong, given that they deprived others (slaves) of freedom.
What warning did Abigail Adams give John about the consequences of ignoring women’s rights?
Abigail warned that if men continued to hold unlimited power over women, women would not hold themselves bound by laws in which they had no representation and would foment a rebellion.
What personal hardships does Abigail Adams describe in her letter dated April 5, 1776?
Abigail describes her emotional struggle attending to neighbors who lost children to a “Canker fever,” which also affected many adults, while worrying about the health of her own children.
How did Abigail Adams contribute to the wartime efforts, as mentioned in her April 5, 1776 letter?
Abigail mentioned making clothing for her family and intended to experiment with making saltpeter (used for gunpowder), contributing in her own way to the war effort.
What did Abigail Adams mention about the state of illness in her community in April 1776?
Abigail Adams described the rampant spread of diseases, such as the “Canker fever” and the Mumps, affecting both children and adults in her community.
In John Adams’s response to Abigail on April 14, 1776, how does he describe Virginia’s ability to defend itself against the British?
John Adams noted that Virginia’s militia and minute men were well-trained, with nine battalions of regular troops and manufacturing capabilities for firearms and saltpeter, making them capable of defending against British forces.
What did John Adams reveal about the social structure of Virginia in his April 14, 1776 letter?
John Adams revealed that Virginia’s social structure was highly unequal, with a wealthy gentry class and very poor common people, leading to an aristocratic turn in their governance.
How does John Adams react to Abigail’s observation about the passion for liberty in Virginia?
John Adams agreed that Virginia had been “duped” by Lord Dunmore, but stated that all colonies had been misled at various points during the conflict.
Who was Jean-Paul Marat, and what is he known for during the French Revolution?
Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) was a political theorist, scientist, and journalist. He is known for his radical writings in L’Ami du Peuple advocating preemptive strikes against the aristocracy and counterrevolutionaries. He was assassinated in 1793.
What was the main theme of Jean-Paul Marat’s L’Ami du Peuple article on September 20, 1789?
Marat warned that the monarchy and its supporters (ministers, clergy, and financiers) were conspiring to maintain their power, monopolize resources like grain, and suppress the National Assembly’s efforts to create a Constitution.
What fear did Jean-Paul Marat express regarding King Louis XVI and his ministers in 1789?
Marat feared that Louis XVI and his ministers were working to undermine the National Assembly and return the nation to despotism, violating promises and attempting to restore chains of tyranny.
Who was Maximilien Robespierre, and what role did he play in the French Revolution?
Maximilien Robespierre (1758–1794) was a radical Jacobin leader, lawyer, and representative to the Estates General. He led the Committee of Public Safety and launched the Reign of Terror, which purged political opponents. He was executed in 1794.
What was Robespierre’s argument in his speech on December 3, 1792, regarding the trial of Louis XVI?
Robespierre argued that Louis XVI should not be tried because his deposition as king and his crimes already condemned him. He believed a trial would question the legitimacy of the Revolution and could reignite royalist factions.
What did Robespierre claim was the primary issue with putting Louis XVI on trial?
Robespierre claimed that a trial could lead to Louis being acquitted, which would undermine the Revolution and suggest that the defenders of liberty were wrong, risking the revival of royalist sympathies.
What was Robespierre’s final recommendation concerning Louis XVI?
Robespierre recommended immediate legal action declaring Louis XVI a traitor and criminal, with his execution serving as an example for the world and reinforcing the Republic.
What was the central message of Jacques Hébert’s article in Le Père Duchesne in January 1793?
Hébert called for the extermination of the entire royal family, likening them to a nest of vipers, arguing that sparing any of them would result in future danger and harm to the people.
Who was Jacques Hébert, and what was his role during the French Revolution?
Jacques Hébert (1757–1794) was a radical journalist and editor of La Père Duchesne, an influential paper among the working class. He advocated for the execution of monarchs and was later executed for urging a revolt against Robespierre.
What analogy did Jacques Hébert use to justify the execution of royal families?
Hébert compared royal families to a nest of vipers, suggesting that killing only the father and sparing the rest would lead to the death of those who showed pity, emphasizing the need to eliminate all royals to prevent future harm.
Why did Jean-Paul Marat criticize the National Assembly in 1789?
Marat criticized the National Assembly for its ineffectiveness and warned that their inaction and concessions to the monarchy were endangering the Revolution, allowing the king and his ministers to plot against the people’s interests.
What specific actions did Marat believe the monarchy and ministers were taking against the people?
Marat believed the monarchy and ministers were monopolizing grain supplies to starve the population, delaying financial reforms to enrich themselves, and conspiring to halt the creation of a Constitution to re-enslave the people.
What did Robespierre say would happen if Louis XVI were acquitted?
Robespierre warned that if Louis XVI were acquitted, it would invalidate the Revolution, and those who fought for liberty would be seen as slanderers, potentially leading to the resurgence of royalism.
How did Robespierre view the concept of a trial for Louis XVI?
Robespierre believed that a trial for Louis XVI was unnecessary because his crimes as a tyrant were already evident. He argued that putting him on trial would risk legitimizing the king’s actions and undermine the Revolution.
How did Robespierre justify the execution of Louis XVI?
Robespierre justified Louis XVI’s execution by claiming that the people’s liberty required it, and that Louis’ continued existence would endanger the Republic. He argued that the Revolution could not be secured as long as Louis lived.
What did Robespierre believe was the purpose of the Revolution regarding tyranny?
Robespierre believed that the Revolution was meant to completely break the ties between the people and tyranny, and that the execution of tyrants like Louis XVI was necessary to protect the liberty and safety of the nation.
What was Jacques Hébert’s view on mercy toward the monarchy?
Hébert believed that showing mercy to the monarchy was foolish and dangerous, comparing it to sparing a nest of vipers that would later attack. He argued for the total extermination of the royal family to ensure the Revolution’s success.
Why did Jacques Hébert call for the execution of not just the king but the entire royal family?
Hébert argued that leaving any member of the royal family alive would pose a future threat to the Republic, as they would seek revenge. He advocated for the total elimination of monarchs to prevent the resurgence of tyranny.
How did Hébert’s tone and style in Le Père Duchesne appeal to the working class?
Hébert used common language, profanity, and a direct, passionate tone in Le Père Duchesne, which resonated with the Parisian working class, making his radical ideas more accessible and influential.
What happened to Jacques Hébert after his revolt against Robespierre?
After urging Parisians to revolt against Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety in March 1794, Hébert’s uprising failed, leading to his arrest and execution by guillotine later that same month.
What was the territory covered by the Constitution of Saint-Domingue, 1801?
The Constitution of Saint-Domingue, 1801, covered the entire expanse of Saint-Domingue and adjacent islands such as Samana, La Tortue, La Gonave, Les Cayemites, L’Ile-à-Vache, and La Saone.
What did Article 3 of the Constitution of Saint-Domingue declare regarding servitude?
Article 3 declared that slavery was forever abolished in Saint-Domingue, and all men were born, lived, and died free and French.
