How do we reckon with a history full of complexities and contradictions?

To what extent did Abigail Adams contribute to the ideals upon which the US was founded?

In the 18th century, many important figures contributed to US history, however, some of them were not typically considered founders of the United States. Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, the second president of the United States, may not typically be regarded as a founder of the United States. Still, she contributed significantly to the democratic ideals upon which the US was founded.

Abigail Adams was a writer and thinker whose works offer invaluable insights into the early years of the United States. She wrote about her concerns as a woman living in the 18th century emphasizing that women should have more opportunities, especially in education. Adams also had strong feelings about marriage and believed that women should be able to make their own decisions rather than only be considered “maids” to their husbands. She believed that if women were properly educated, they could use their intellect to manage household affairs. In the 18th century women were not allowed to have, and more importantly, express their opinions. For this reason, other women highly …show more content…
John was formulating his ideas about the types of governments that would be organized in the former colonies and then published his essay “Thoughts on Government.” After the British evacuation of Boston, American minds were freed to contemplate America’s relations with foreign powers and the status of women. This highlights Abigail Adams’s advocacy for women’s rights and her role in encouraging her husband, John Adams, to consider the inclusion of women in the new American government. She demonstrated her commitment to gender equality and her willingness to challenge common beliefs about women’s roles in