Lindsay Chervinsky’s new book reveals a savvy politician. 
Look beyond the first amendment flouting Sedition Acts, and you’ll find that John Adams’s single term as president had a far greater impact on the nation than it’s given credit for.
That’s the subject of presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky’s new book Making The Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged The Republic. She joined us to talk about Adams’s presidency and his struggles and underappreciated successes.
Listen to the episode now:
Making The Presidency reveals a president and a presidency that are often underrated because for so long they were defined by people like Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Chervinsky makes the case that it is especially amazing that Adams was able to accomplish anything—and avoid a ruinous war—when you consider that he was surrounded by enemies.
First of all, there was his own treason-curious vice president, founding frenemy Thomas Jefferson—the only time a presidential election ended up with a president and vice president from opposing parties before a Constitutional amendment prohibited it. And then there was his Cabinet. Actually, it was George Washington’s Cabinet, which Adams kept on because he thought they would be loyal to him. He was wrong. His own Cabinet was taking orders from Alexander Hamilton and actively working against Adams, especially the truculent Timothy Pickering, who Chervinsky says had a personality best suited for the Spanish Inquisition.
And even though he managed to attain the highest office in the land, Adams still found himself overshadowed and strongarmed by his predecessor George Washington. With his wisdom and grit (and a small set of allies including his “dearest friend” and wife Abigail Adams), John Adams put peace over power and patriotism over party, setting precedents that defined the American presidency.
Making the Presidency comes out September 5, 2024 and is available for preorder now. You can learn more about the author at lindsaychervinsky.com.
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Sources for “The Cockade War” story introducing the episode:
Political Conflict and Public Contest: Rituals of National Celebration in Philadelphia, 1788-1815
by Albrecht Koschnik, The Pennsylvania Magazine of History & Biography, Vol. CXVIII, No. 3 (July 1994)
Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic by Lindsay M. Chervinsky
“Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Philadelphia to his friend in this city, dated May 10.” Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, May 14, 1798
“Extract of a letter from a gentleman of reputation in Philadelphia dated May 11.” Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1798
