The Differences Between Adams and Jefferson

The podcast explores the stark differences between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Despite being friends and political allies during the American Revolution, Adams and Jefferson had fundamentally different views on equality, human nature, and the structure of government. Adams believed in the inherent inequalities among individuals and was skeptical of the idea of equal rights for all. He favored a strong executive and was cautious about democracy. On the other hand, Jefferson was a champion of equality and believed in the capacity of the people to govern themselves. He advocated for a weak executive and had more trust in democratic processes and elections. The differences in their views on these philosophical and political questions ultimately shaped their conflicting visions for the future of America.