Here's Where It Gets Interesting Abigail Adams Abroad
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Sep 1, 2025 Dive into the incredible journey of Abigail Adams as she sails to Paris to join her husband, John Adams. Discover her progressive views during a transformative time for America. Experience the challenges of their marriage, parenthood, and her vibrant life in Europe. The podcast also uncovers Abigail’s insights into education while navigating relationships with key figures like Thomas Jefferson. Plus, learn about the struggles of her daughter, Naby, contrasting her tumultuous marriage with Abigail’s influential role as First Lady.
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Early Intellectual Formation
- Abigail Adams received an unusually wide home education and access to family libraries, shaping her lifelong intellectualism.
- Her reading and literary quotes fill her letters, signaling early female intellectual agency in colonial America.
A Humble Romantic Start
- Abigail met John Adams at 15 and married him despite her parents' doubts about his refinement and prospects.
- They rode off together to his modest saltbox home and began a long, eventful partnership.
Complex Anti-Slavery Stance
- The Adamses opposed slavery personally and employed free workers, making John Adams unique among early presidents.
- They nonetheless favored gradual abolition rather than immediate, activist confrontation.