American Literature / Unit 5 AML 0415 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Adams–Jefferson Correspondence
Captions available
The idea
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, allies in seventeen seventy-six and rivals afterward, resumed writing in old age and exchanged letters on politics, religion, reading and death until both died on the same Fourth of July. The correspondence is the Revolution arguing with itself in retrospect.
In practice
Two founders, arguing by post for years.
Where people slip
Both men died on the same day, in eighteen twenty-six.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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