10_13_15

Download, mark up, and place in your drop box

Three Letters between John and Abigail Adams.

The Declaration of Independence, a History.

We will return to the Declaration of Independence several times in the near future. Right now, concentrate on the first two paragraphs, which constitute the preamble. (We’ve seen another document with a preamble. Remember what it was?) Do you see any similarity with any other document or documents we’ve read this semester? If so, using the cf format (confer or see also) and indicate which one or ones. That’s all I want you to do with the Declaration of Independence for today.

The letters between John Adams and his wife Abigail are very short. They’re also a little funny, I think. Both the Adams and his wife were known to have good senses of humor. In your sticky-note markups, First, summarize what Abigail wants her husband to do as the Continental Congress debates the Declaration. For your second sticky note, what does her husband think of her desires? You may want to look up the definition of saucy. For your third sticky note, how does Abigail respond to her husband? What threat does she make? Is it reasonable to call Abigail Adams the first American Feminist?

The declaration of Independence, a History gives a short summary of the debate issues and of the complaints which made it into the Declaration. Is there any indication that equal rights for women were considered, or that John Adams brought the subject up? (He did serve on a committee which edited the rough draft). All you need to do for your mark up is to put your guess as to what the next topic for consideration will be on our agenda for this course. ☺ There's a hint or two or three below.