I Have Looked for Our Rights

[@HtheKing777]

I know Dickinson looks bad here, but he is also the first to show up in military uniform when the assembly announces the Declaration. He wanted peace but when that wasn't possible , he didnt shy away from fighting

[@Tharrel]

It only looks bad from the American perspective. He wanted peace. Adams wanted war.

[@jayteegamble]

I don't think he looks bad here. Or in any scene in John Adams. He always comes off as wise and reasonable.

[@NotARussianDisinfoBot]

@@Tharrel "Great is the guilt of an unecessary war." John Adams spoke those words when, as President, he helped keep the US out of a second war with Britain. I think the entire point of this video clip shows that John Adams (and many others) didn't actually want war, but they knew it was going to be necessary.

[@Tharrel]

@@NotARussianDisinfoBot was it neccessary though? Canada didn't fight Britain and it could be argued they are better off, when it comes to legislature and their social security system

[@NotARussianDisinfoBot]

@@Tharrel That's a good point. The official date of Canada beconing free of Britain was in 1867, was it not? Nearly a century after the American Revolutionary war. I have a feeling that if Canada had tried to become free from Britain in the same time frame that the American colonies did, it would have been a different story. What do you think?

[@kookookachu26]

good lord the acting in this series was just fantastic.

[@mikoohoskin1446]

whats a crood?

[@MrLandry2010]

Yes it’s a great cast and great acting.

[@AsAbovesobelow952]

ACEGaming

[@gghouse7]

I wish theyd of used the cast and continued the plot to show all of the founders. Jefferson Madison washington .. and their times. they should do a miniseries for every founder

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

@@gghouse7 I would thoroughly watch that!

[@chillinandmemeing]

I love how Adams at one point argues about Dickinson's "Quaker sensibilities" and everyone in the room just looks at him like "Oh no he didn't..."

[@connerclark3678]

DoileyDoggy “I stand in judgement of no man’s religion, but...” was that era’s “I’m not racist, but...”

[@jshepard152]

3:19

[@arembert7683]

My favorite part of this scene

[@BlueBaron3339]

There had been a sad history of mass hangings of Quakers in Massachusetts, long before Adams, that helped inform his position on separation of church and state. What's wrong in this scene is that Dickinson was never a Quaker. Yes, he married one but never became one and he'd had military training and believed war was justified just so long as you didn't shoot first.

[@ThrillaWhale]

Shit just got real.

[@balderrising1]

"Powder and Artillery are the most infallible and conciliatory measures we can adopt " - John Adams .. I Love this quote.

[@treyfowler6892]

such was the reasoning behind the second amendment. Goverment that abuses rights is best kept in check by its own citizens, and they too have their own right to defense.

[@philip8551]

Lol and you still got it wrong.

[@ryanjones9498]

Wait a minute, the left told me blacks built this country

[@flashlord1311]

Ryan Jones I mean they kinda did build the early economy

[@SergeantExtreme]

@@flashlord1311 No they didn't. Not even in the slightest. Slavery doesn't build a strong economy because the slaves aren't getting paid a fair wage. The reason we go to work is so that we can buy. If we were forced to work for no money at all, then the resulting economy would be extremely weak.

[@celebrim1]

Dickenson got his olive branch. When it was rejected, he motioned for war and helped Jefferson to write its declaration.

[@davecrupel2817]

Coward had no choice. It was either side with the winning side, the side that will *fight,* or lose his reputation and position in congress, and possibly see his "country" brought to ruin.

[@AngelaQi]

Daniel Cannata I mean in his position, he had to choose between starting a war with the worlds strongest empire or sending an Olive branch. When peace was not an option, what else could he do but support the notion of war.

[@teddyj9482]

Daniel Cannata he came off less of a coward to me and more someone who truly believe that they could settle the matter peacefully and that people like John Adams were just adding fuel to the fire.

[@lazarolechon1]

Opus Metalli cope Britboy. People absolutely do win in wars. America won independence from an empire and started a new experiment unknown to europe, at great cost. To say “no one wins at war” as if to nullify the great achievements of the founding fathers is idiotic and absolutely not a form of “intelligent discourse”

[@PhycoKrusk]

@@davecrupel2817 War is the final failure of diplomacy, sir. War is, itself, a nasty, brutish, and violent affair, that spoils trade, topples nations, and destroys lives without regard for who is and who is not "civil." It should not be engaged in lightly. It is best, in fact, not to engage in it at all, if it can be helped. But there will always be those circumstances when it cannot be helped, and in those circumstances, war ought to be conducted as swiftly and violently as possible, with overwhelming force enough to break the spine of the enemy's army, or to at least bloody them enough that they lose all taste for the conflict that their governors have brought to their doorsteps, and will demand a swift negotiation on the terms of surrender on pain of ending those ambitions themselves.

[@Bolthrower91]

Even when they argued with one another they spoke in the utmost eloquence...

[@kevinstry1695]

They have too much to lose and want the same thing. Unlike now when politicians feed off of what everyone in these days died for and care less about the risks which are lesser

[@blue20000]

maybe but lets not kid ourselves, politics back then was much harsher in their use of insults than they are today.

[@Tempusverum]

They used wit, which burns hotter and far more deeply than today's thoughtless and boorish expletives. A British Lord that visited the Colonies remarked that Americans pronounced their words with greater clearness and efficacy than their equivalents back in England.

[@hamnchee]

"I mean, Ben Franklin is just a low energy guy." -Thomas Jefferson

[@JustShoveJayOhBe]

You realize this isn’t actually footage of the continental congress?

[@MyVaultboy101]

Seriously, one of the must underrated Miniseries ever.

[@Bob-me8md]

What’s the miniseries called please

[@benstrait4960]

@@Bob-me8md HBO's "John Adams"

[@Bob-me8md]

Ben Strait Thank you very much . Much appreciated Ben .

[@benstrait4960]

@@Bob-me8md my pleasure!

[@mikesciortino9711]

I think it has the record for the most emmy wins, so hardly underrated but I would agree not nearly enough people have seen it, a true masterpiece.

[@MrZomBie775]

I love Thomas Jefferson in these scenes, he's always standing off in the corner or by a window just chilling out and watching everything.

[@stephenmason9527]

Adams even comments to him later that in the years of Continental Congress meetings he had not heard Jefferson 'utter so much as a single word.'

[@paulwagner688]

Jefferson responds that he is not a speaker, but lets his pen do the talking

[@charlesstanford3904]

Yep actions speak louder than words

[@snugswashere6504]

Jefferson was a bad public speaker and had a rather unusual voice for a man in that time period. He preferred to write because everyone knew he was a fantastic writer and respected his work.

[@joezarbarreto4038]

If only he had popcorn... Haha

[@NoogahOogah]

No TV show has ever made me feel quite as immersed in the past as this one does. There are so many subtleties that ring with authenticity - the passion, spontaneity, and sometimes even the boredom that the actors manage to convey. Nuances of culture (“your quaker sensibilities”), and practical concerns that relate to the characters, where they live, and what they believe in. Truly astounding.

[@mrnash6086]

and no tv series make me mad like this.. where is Thomas Paine? it seems after 300 years people still dont want to se his big role to revolution of America ..shame on you.

[@muslimbother622]

I agree. The only other show that immerses you in the past is HBO's Rome.

[@Farlomous]

definitely need a good Civil War version of this. there are a lot of stories they could fit together to make it work. just have to make it balanced unlike the foolish Lost Cause proponents like Gods and Generals.

[@SeanWinters]

​@@Farlomous"I want a civil war show that's true to life, but also propaganda against the south" Sounds a lot like that Simpsons quote, doesn't it?

[@Farlomous]

@@SeanWinters ok, so I haven't seen the Simpsons since the '90s so I watched the clip and damn that was funny

[@brianmatyas4114]

Franklin is to be commended for keeping his mouth shut here. After all, he tried for years to extend the "olive branch" while he was colonial emissary to England, right up until just after the Tea Party. He knew Dickinson's approach wasn't going to work because he had tried the same thing in the years leading up to the fighting when it came to dealing with Parliament.

[@Xkrepta999]

@WorldFlex Your slavish devotion to a pack of lying conmen is an insult to everything the Founders fought for.

[@Jman16007]

@@Xkrepta999 The Founders are rolling in their graves as the tool of insurrection they accounted for never sees use. But you're right, don't be puppeted to stand in the frontline of a non-existent rebellion.

[@misterrea861]

Keeping his mouth shut until wiser counsel could prevail was Franklin's signature move. He was a master of timing and preferred not to let his voice get lost in the scrum. Bravo to the producers for showing this. It's also probable at this time (1775) Franklin himself was still on the fence. He was remarkable in his ability to doubt his own certainties and to be open to new arguments and compromises. Something our Republican friends have forgotten how to do.

[@mygoogleemail2063]

Franklin was an Englishman up until he was humiliated before British parliament. After that he knew there would be no peaceful resolution. He walked in that day a proud Englishman. He came out a revolutionary

[@defeatignorance8681]

But he also knew timing was key in everything and sometimes it takes a little longer for certain members of a society to come to the same understanding of those that have been already convinced. I often wonder what life would be like today without Mr. Franklin. Washington may be the father of America, but Franklin is the grandfather. He held the wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay silent and when to act and how to act. He brought the real men in that room together and if it wasn't for him I believe France never would've agreed to join our fight.

[@JnEricsonx]

Meanwhile Stannis is in the background thinking, "I bend the knee to no one."

[@BucketThinkTank14657Nerd]

"The 13 Colonies are mine by right"

[@rossrockomurphy2277]

@@BucketThinkTank14657Nerd :D

[@1983spuds]

they’ll bend the knee or i’ll destroy them

[@SovereignStatesman]

@@1983spuds Until Aaron Burr challenges him to trial by combat.

[@1983spuds]

Tom Evans aaron burr killed alexander hamilton no thomas jefferson. stanis plays jefferson 😂

[@jackmunday7602]

"If we wish to regain our natural born rights as Englishman. Then we must fight for them" As an Englishman myself. I can't help but feel inspired by that quote. I salute you John Adams. 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

[@adambruce1688]

The revolution was fought against an out-of-touch and tyrannical group temporarily in power in the English government and never against the English people themselves, who have always, since at least the lifetime of my grandfather and continuing into that of my own children, been held in high esteem in America.

[@demurevilleneuvewinslet8235]

It's powerful stuff. Hits you in the feels.

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

@@adambruce1688 i use the war for independence rather that revolution.

[@nonenone-wk8qk]

@@adambruce1688 Not really. A lot of Americans despised Margaret Thatcher, and despise British colonialism. Colonialism, nationalism, are the cause of all war, and the British were pretty arrogant an aggressive in that regard.

[@DreadPages]

​@@nonenone-wk8qki would argue that animosity is due to the framing during youth education that colonialism seems to be the only problems marginalized groups faced prior to britain showing up. Same reason why King Kamehameha in Hawaii was seen as a Uniter. Despite his tactics to unite looking very similar to other military conquests.

[@1chish]

I love the way the producers of this series got the accents dead right. No American accents back in the later 1770s just the slight burr of England's West Country is there as it was back then. And of course they spoke and debated well. They were Englishmen. And 8 of the first 9 US Presidents were born Englishmen as well. Washington was a British Army Officer.

[@ianinkster2261]

The masterstroke of the entire series were the accents.

[@Rockhound6165]

There's no such thing as an "American" accent. Accents differ by region. I live in NJ. Not a large state by land but we in the south speak entirely different than those in the northern part of the state. Same can't be said of English accents. Yes there are differences but the accent and pronunciations are relatively the same. Can't say that about America. Some accents are so profound that I can hardly understand them. For example, I don't know what the heck language Cajuns speak but it isn't English.

[@1chish]

@@Rockhound6165 Well Cajuns speak Patois so its not English. And sorry you are wrong about English accents. I defy anyone to understand a Kernow in full flight let alone a Geordie or a Scouse. But everyone knows 'the English accent'. My point was about the new USA as it was created not now and it was more of a West country or 'county' accent. Massive immigration changed the language beyond recognition over the years and it is this that became the 'American Accent'. It is distinct from the Canadian accent as well. I think its recognisable.

[@cmfant8499]

@@Rockhound6165 there is absolutely an American accent. It’s called Standard or General American English.

[@Rockhound6165]

@@cmfant8499 no, different accents for different parts of the country. Hell, I live in NJ and we in the south sound vastly different than those from the north.

[@horseradish4046]

that look Ben Franklin shoots Adams when he starts trashing Dickinson's Quaker ways is amazing, I honestly feel a bit shamed when I watch this, like Franklin is judging me for agreeing with Adams

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Franklin was a true politician.. he knew that one would catch more flies with honey ...

[@marksusername]

@@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr What do you mean by that?

[@catherineli1991]

@@marksusername it means not to be an asshole to people

[@marksusername]

@@catherineli1991 oh I get it

[@IamBrixTM]

@@catherineli1991 that exchange made me laugh 😂

[@Greatvocalmajority4America]

This series was based on the comprehensive historical research of David McCollough. Much of what was said here and elsewhere in the series was actually said in real life. Perhaps not precisely as depicted, but said nevertheless. Terrific series and true to the historical events.

[@catsinhouse]

McCullough's biography of John Adams is a masterpiece.

[@Widderic]

That's why the show is so damn good. Most of these men, and especially Adams, were obsessive about cataloging and indexing many of their conversations. As a videographer most of my life, I have about half of life on tape. Where I had celluloid film, tapes, and SD cards... these men had ink and paper. Pretty extraordinary and I'm glad Adams kept such detailed records.

[@randyjones3050]

@@Widderic Yes and many of them understood that what they were doing was of extreme historical importance regardless of how events unfolded. That was another reason so many of them were so dedicated to keeping journals...they cared about how history was going to portray them. The letters of correspondence between Jefferson and Adams during the last several years of their life was in many ways a public effort to have their side of the story told. Jefferson and Adams had a falling out in the years prior, but reconciled late in life and those letters were a key part of their reconciliation. I've always been moved by how those two men were both able to set aside their past anger with each other and die as friends. A lesson for all of us. The fact that they both died on the exact same day on the 4th of July on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence feels like evidence that those two men were somehow linked by destiny. The extensive documention of their relationship is a gift to history.

[@Widderic]

@@randyjones3050 I love that.

[@chad3232132]

As much as I respect John Adams, his skills at arguing his case, especially on diplomatic matters, was often counterproductive, coming off as needlessly insulting, even towards those who he needs as allies. Franklin was much, much more skilled in that regard. Adams had a habit of not being able to read the room and getting impatient, whereas Franklin was much more talented and patient at catering towards different interest groups (be it in the Continental Congress or overseas in France).

[@hand587]

I'm British and I love this series for its nuance. Some Americans seem to think of their history as a clear, single-minded march to freedom. But this series correctly shows that it was a lot more complicated than that. There were serious, furious debates about what to do, often with good points on both sides and no obvious correct answer. Points of political philosophy and culture which seem natural to Americans today had to be argued and hard fought. I'd love to see a series from the British side at this time. There were a great many people who opposed Britain's actions in the war of independence, including many parliamentarians.

[@Luboman411]

The Americans who did not seek secession from the motherland understood rightly that without protection from said nation, the French and the Spanish were there waiting in the wings, ready to pounce. That's what the French and Indian War which had just concluded in 1763 was all about--the British Army protecting the American colonies from French invasion. Of course, the French spent themselves to bankruptcy helping the American rebels and the Spanish were too weak to expand northwards into the American colonies. But the colonists didn't know this in 1775. The "remainers" (yes, I went there, LOL) were deathly afraid that if Mother Britain was thrown out, then they would stand alone against these predatory imperial powers.

[@showtimebruin7821]

The American Revolution was a symbolic conflict that came to represent the evolutionary course of English/British constitutional law. Essentially, while the colonists were certainly influenced by events in the English Civil War (and Glorious Revolution), they had a different understanding of its role within the Britain’s constitutional structure. What essentially happened during the American Revolution was a battle between two ideas of the English/British constitution. The Americans subscribed the ancient English constitution, which was a rights based constitution that limited the power of government over subjects. The British, on the other hand, came to subscribe to the new parliamentary supremacy constitution that was forged in the aftermath of the English civil war. For the British, it was the relationship between King and Parliament that came to define their understanding of the British constitution. The Americans however saw the British constitution as the basic framework of the relationship between government and the people.

[@mirzaahmed6589]

That's true in every country and every conflict. There are always loyalists and secessionists, always people who want war and people who don't. Ultimately, whatever outcome occurs is seen as the commonsense and natural one, but that is never so.

[@NelsonClick]

You may find this amusing. My Grandfather was born in the 1885 and lived to be 102. Clearly born 100 years after the Revolution but raised by his parents and Grandparents. Who were alive much closer to the time of the Revolution. I sensed in my Grandfather in conversations that he still feared "the British". The subject elicited a quiet reverent seriousness. I didn't understand it at the time but it simply had to be the case. He feared the British as inherited from his Grandparents.

[@sugarnads]

Exactly. They view it with waaay past rose tinted glasses bordering on falsifying what actually happened.

[@runedragon1985]

"A measure of gross imbecility" is almost Shakespearean in how biting it is. I just love the eloquence of it.

[@headshotsongs9465]

"Ye shall know them by their fruits."

[@christopherwilson1483]

Fancy words, still a fallacy. Instead of addressing the argument he just called his opponent an idiot...

[@justinbauk1026]

@@christopherwilson1483 he said it's a measure of imbecility, not a measure from imbeciles. No fallacy.

[@denniswilkerson5536]

@@christopherwilson1483 Ad hominem attack, you are correct sir. I didn’t even realize that until you pointed it out.

[@Shatamx]

@@christopherwilson1483 He addressed it twice and Mr. Dickenson wasn't having it. So Adams brings up his family will be the first to experience the deadly British army. Since they are so close to Boston. Showing that he is well aware the dangerous that lie ahead if they go to war. His family for one. Dickenson replies back with "blood on your hands." Adams was feed up.

[@warlord8954]

Patrick Henry of Virginia: “Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell and George the Third - ." At that point he was interrupted by cries of “Treason!" from delegates who easily recognized the reference to assassinated leaders. Henry paused briefly, then calmly finished his sentence: “...may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it."

[@Dan4CW]

That was the Virginia of Burgesses 1775.

[@warlord8954]

@@Dan4CW Yes, the Virginia House of Burgesses which had been dissolved and outlawed by John Murray the 4th Earl of Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia, and they met anyway

[@warlord8954]

@@Dan4CW However, Patrick Henry delivered his "Treason" Speech in the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, VA May 29th, 1765. Henry delivered his "Give me liberty,, or give me death" speech March 23rd, 1775 in the outlawed/ dissolved Virginia Legislature that met at Saint John's Church in what was then Henrico Parish Church.

[@jayteegamble]

My goodness what a great debate. I am fully convinced by each of them.

[@bluesnail5042]

"a King or Congress" - Sure, your rights are certainly not granted by any CONGRESS at all, are they?

[@jayteegamble]

@@espada9 While that sounds nice, our rights are not 'natural' nor 'unalienable'. As Milton Friedman put it "Those of us that were born in a free society tend to take freedom for granted, to regard it as a natural state of mankind--it is not! It's is a rare and precious thing. Most people that have lived, most people that are living now, live in conditions of tyranny and misery not freedom and prosperity." Our rights are not guaranteed by a God; only our eternal vigilance and dedication to supporting one another can hold back the forces of tyranny and dominance.

[@isaiahwelch8066]

@gillecroisd 92 : You are correct in all but one thing: Marbury v Madison was decided in 1803, not 1804. Otherwise, well done.

[@christopherpardell4418]

jayteegamble -wrong. Most humans since the dawn of man lived in real democracies. Almost all Stone Age people’s lived in what we would term democratic tribal constructs. It’s only with the advent of civilization that human beings needed larger and more autocratic power structures. Civilization is only around 5,000 years old. Human beings lived for 100,000 years before that in tribal units run by tribal councils, and leading members who had proven leadership. Early colonists called native leaders ‘kings’ because they could not understand their actual status- that term changed to ‘Chief ’ as colonist began to understand that they were simply prominent and influential men in the tribe- not kings nor tyrants by any measure. It was the exposure to native forms of self governance and rule by council that lead the founding fathers and Americans in general to believe that the natural state of man was that of freedom and self determination. All men Are born equal. Take the child born in poverty and swap him for the child born in luxury, and there is no telling he does not belong there. All inequality is politically imposed.

[@isaiahwelch8066]

@@christopherpardell4418 : I have one criticism of what you said: That civilization is only 5,000 years old -- this is not true, by any stretch. And the refutation to your argument are 2 different locations: 1) Damascus, Syria: This is the oldest continually-inhabited human city, at over 10,000 years continuous inhabitation. Which means that "civilization" would have to be that old, or older. 2) Babylon under King Hammurabi. Hammurabi was the first ruler that had a "code" of laws that Babylonian people had to follow -- which means that if one of the characteristics of "civilization" is rule by law, then Babylon, under Hammurabi, is also older than 5,000 years old. Even the Egyptian empires are older than 5,000 years old, under such rulers as Ramses. So your argument about civilization being not being older than 5,000 years old? Any archaeologist, historian, or anthropologist could refute what you said, just as I did.

[@kathrynmolesa1641]

Giamatti deserved an Emmy for his magnificent portrayal of John Adams. I guess he did win the Emmy. 🤣

[@Widderic]

Who the hell did it go to? I can't imagine anyone outperforming him that year.

[@Madmartigan17]

which is probably why he did win an emmy for his work on John Adams

[@thomasmullaney4306]

His late father was Commissioner of Baseball, A. Bartlett Giamatti. He was the commissioner that banned Pete Rose for life. Paul is a great actor, I'd listen to him recite the phone book if it sounded like this!

[@marywenzel3199]

Paul did win the Emmy for 2008 for this performance.

[@AL_YZ]

He looks too Italian

[@johnberger5539]

Dickenson's position that men's rights derive from Government is diametrically opposed to Jefferson's postulate that men's rights derive from their Creator, not Government and is the basis of the entire history of the United States.

[@WillCarter1976]

Jefferson agreed with Thomas Paine. Paine was the intellect behind American Libertarianism and his views were a synthesis of Locke and Aquinas, rights from reason, and rights from revelation. Jefferson references Paine in his own thinking numerous times.

[@dovbarleib3256]

Obviously, the laughable idea that our rights as human beings are derived from govt has been proven false tens of thousands of time throughout world history. Govt giveth and taketh away.

[@ardalla535]

Human rights having their origin in the Divine is but an assertion. The reality is as Dickenson says, rights are given by governments. If we waited for God to grant us anything, we would be waiting for eternity.

[@Rockhound6165]

While you are correct, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, a document some consider sacred to this country, was written and approved by government. With the power to vote away these rights I might add. Get 2/3 of the house, 2/3 of the senate, and 3/4 of the states to agree and voila there go your free speech right. There go your 4th amendment rights. There go the Bill of Rights. Everything I said here is indisputable fact.

[@PettyCrow-n9c]

Basically, people realized the government is rarely your friend, so it doesn't make sense to let them be in complete control of your rights.

[@KristianHicks]

"I sit in judgement on no man's religion Mr Dickinson, but your QUAKER sensibilities do us a gross disservice sir!" Ooooooooh snap!

[@ABPHistory]

K Hicks guane

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

I chuckle every time I hear it. Great series.. watch it once a year.

[@josh18230]

The people that said here here after Adam's finished that part were anti-quaker bigots lol

[@Shatamx]

“Epic rap battles of historyyyyy! Begin!

[@thegreatrobin2329]

“Guy’s a son of Abraham”

[@sean2015]

Back in those days, long before air conditioning, buildings were constructed with very high ceilings to keep rooms cool (because warm air is less dense and always rises, whereas cooler air sinks). Windows also had to be very large to allow for maximum natural light, as gas light did not even become available until well into the 19th century.

[@dustywaxhead]

Walls were also a lot more thick and dense to keep in cool or warm air

[@sean2015]

@@dustywaxhead correct. The apartment building which I live in now is almost 100 years old but I can barely hear my neighbors because the walls are nice and thick. The building I lived I prior to this was built in 1980, and it was hell. The walls were paper thin and my neighbors’ young children constantly screamed and it ruined my life.

[@Widderic]

@@sean2015 dude I have bad neighbors right now, very thin ceilings and I'm losing my mind.

[@sean2015]

@@Widderic I feel you, I feel you. Sounds like you live in a newer building with thin walls.

[@zechari8526]

hi then why does it get colder the higher one goes ?

[@NixonRules963]

I love how when Dickinson brings up that they will kick Massachusetts out of their Congress everyone in the room gets quiet. As much as the colonies disagreed with each other, they very much believed they were all in it together. The idea of excluding one colony from their alliance was unthinkable.

[@benn454]

"We must all hang together, or we shall all most assuredly hang separately."

[@TylerLarew]

As someone from Pennsylvania I laughed when Adams made the Quaker comment, and all the Pennsylvania representatives stood up out of insult. 😂

[@kxmode]

"Did he just say the Q word? Oh no he didunt."

[@josephmelendez8370]

He said Quaker with a hard "r" and everything.

[@MingDynasty700]

John Adams :" The time for negotiation is past. The actions of the British army at Lexington and Concord speak plainly enough. If we want to regain our natural born right as Englishmen, then we must fight for them."

[@boshirahmed]

These English men don't want to be ruled by English men but want to be ruled by English men with American accents.. Well they could have been ruled by English men with French accents..

[@marksusername]

@@boshirahmed It's not about accents lmfao please tell me thats not what you got out of this

[@boshirahmed]

@@marksusername come in its funny, people are never happy about people who rule them.

[@marksusername]

@@boshirahmed Yes but to say its their accents and not the fundamental structures of the government oppresion in England sounds flimsy and silly. I guess its your preference, but you sound like you're not being serious and therefore its hard to take you serious. I just dont want you getting fucked up by other people for the way you say things

[@inigobantok1579]

@@boshirahmed mate they send an olive branch to his majesty King George III and he replied that their congress are considered treason and shall be hanged with efficiency

[@358Disaster]

"It is one thing to turn the other cheek, but to lie down on the ground, like a snake, and crawl toward the seat of power in abject surrender is quite another." Their defiance make my heart swell.

[@SophiaAphrodite]

Most of them knew they would never fight. They were like any rich men. Outraged at the idea their wealth was not secure. So now to send the poor and working class to secure it for them. Why else would they have made it so only white men who owned land could vote?

[@janwitts2688]

126 likes from cowards that know nothing of honour and responsibility..

[@williamdavis2960]

@@janwitts2688 You sound like a salty Brit.

[@radams_e]

I went ahead and made that 138 :)

[@AllenbysEyes]

This is by far the best episode of the series. Zeljko Ivanek's great performance as John Dickinson is undoubtedly a major factor.

[@Desmaad]

I find him insufferably whiny, quite frankly.

[@maestroclassico5801]

​@@DesmaadWatch 1776, Dickinson is just a straight up jerk.

[@chuchulainn9275]

Maybe he is ill? He doesn't look to be in the best of health in his scenes.

[@maestroclassico5801]

​@@chuchulainn9275which one? Dickinson here or Dickinson in 1776?

[@j-dog7767]

I love how they speak in old timey British accents very accurate

[@boshirahmed]

In essence they were very much British..

[@j-dog7767]

boshirahmed technically we don’t know what they sounded like. Accents change drastically over just centuries and they lived long before we could record voices so they probably sounded sort of like British accents today, but most likely with something a bit more uncanny which they nailed

[@patrickwalsh7088]

As much as I like the action of the Patriot, this mini series does such an amazing job portraying the actual history instead of spewing absolute Hollywood bullshit. The correspondence between Adam’s and Jefferson was my favorite scene.

[@basiltrader6412]

@@j-dog7767 We actually have a fair enough picture at how these people sounded. If we knew how Shakespeare would've sounded, we'd know how these people would've as well. I believed the filmmakers brought a linguist when shooting this film to teach the actors how to sound like men would've back then.

[@inigobantok1579]

They don't just speak British accents mate they are British themselves

[@hamnchee]

I've watched a ton of these clips now. Every single one is Ben Franklin, in a chair, slightly judging John Dickinson's statements, then slightly approving of John Adam's responses.

[@paulhunt4690]

Without Ben, there would be no United States of America.

[@mjbull5156]

Franklin is agreeing with Adams thinking and cringing at the off putting way he is expressing that thinking.

[@Publius_Americanus]

John Adams is THE most underrated and under-appreciated founding father of all time!

[@reaper411b]

agreed

[@Shatamx]

He was well loved and remember. Something happened after the Civil War that seemed to diminished his impact on Americans.

[@CaptainFSU]

The Alien & Sedition Acts maybe?

[@katiearbuckle9017]

You know what Hancock is thinking, he's thinking " When John Adam's produces that damn Declaration, I am going to take up a third of the god damn document not just for the British to see, but by god I have had it with everyone in this Hot ASS room, it's July for god sakes. I am in wool, I miss my Wife. I want out ? .....I want Dinner."

[@dave131]

lol no doubt !

[@JonDundas10]

I am BOILING

[@markchristian787]

Arguable one of the greatest shows ever with some of the greatest acting ever done on the big screen. Big time kudos for HBO for doing this.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

And then the guy who directed this made Cats.

[@MrHarbltron]

OOF

[@citsym2977]

how could this happen

[@hathawaydj1]

He also made The King's Speech

[@22espec]

The problem was that he loved the musical too much and didnt do the changes that needed to be done to make a coherent film.

[@bidenator9760]

Mauricio That actually makes sense. Thank you for the logical explanation.

[@sadaasdafa8635]

This is so much better than The Patriot.

[@roberthaworth9097]

Yes, hated The Patriot. I squirmed through at least half of it as ridiculously over-the-top, while my family ate it up. Something much closer to the facts would have been far superior . Never understood why Hollywood feels obliged to stray so far from history, when the actual history is compelling enough.

[@richardm5884]

Mr. Haworth, Hollywood strays from historical accuracy only to provide mere entertainment that lasts for a couple of measly hours. The best way to find historical truth, sir, is to turn to those sources that provide better accuracy and finer perspective that is not shown on the TV screen and something that is found beyond the high school textbook.

[@blankcodex7339]

Mel Gibson movies are garbage

[@andrelavandero3041]

『Blank Codex』 EXCEPT...

[@currahee1782]

What about Hacksaw Ridge?

[@seraph5765]

What a fantastic job Željko Ivanek did in this role playing John Dickinson. He was on an absolute tear at this point in his career; I remember him in Heroes and 24, playing very different but impressive characters.

[@willmunny9279]

And he absolutely nailed an obscure English accent.

[@FireMarshallStev]

He is a terrific actor who never steals a scene but carries every one he appears in.

[@mikevaughnchannel]

Perfectly cast miniseries! A real classic. Love it as much to watch it every year.

[@jacobhollback2879]

The way these men utilized the English language is so profound and beautiful. We have lost so much in our ability to communicate.

[@waltonsimons9082]

Well, you know what they say. Americans only have one language, and they don't even speak that one properly : )

[@dace938]

OMG. LOL. (I type in jest).

[@WitchKing-Of-Angmar]

Hold it true to yourself to speak with the indication of pride and with heart, that we use the tongue given to us through countless moments, and centuries, ambitions, situations and battles to sculpt such a fine language of so much emotion and firm dedication. There is only 230 words in the English language, and yet so sparingly and eloquently do we make every sentence, feel a new one. In current times or "modern day" as the achieved optimistic says, people will apply the same modern terms as you or I will say "you" & "I" in a sentence. Like is hardly ever used as a simile any more, more so a connection of expression thought. Color is no longer used for subtlety, only as brash showcase of being flashy. Outfits no longer show your dedication to look your best, but to barely cover onself. We are in a poorer country these days.

[@timrichardson4018]

Great film! In this scene, I kept waiting for Adams to bring up that the colonies had presented parliament with grievances before and been ignored, if I remember correctly. Not to mention, it took quite a long time to get a message to parliament across the ocean, parliament to address it, and then to receive a reply. This was one of Thomas Payne's main points about the impracticality of being ruled by a government three thousand miles away. And in the meantime, they had to tolerate whatever abuses were taking place while they waited for a resolution. People often cite "taxation without representation" as THE reason for the revolution. And it was a major issue, but it was something like number 17 on the list. Most of the grievances had to do with abuses of power by the crown toward the people of the colonies.

[@jasonstarr6419]

Gives me a great sense of familial pride to watch John Adams. My grandmother was Ollie Adams, daughter of Hoxie Adams, who immigrated to Texas from "up north" after the Civil War and settled south of San Antonio. He was descended directly from John and John Q Adams, although he is seldom mentioned in family genealogy (if at all). Every time I met someone named Adams, when I was a kid, I'd ask them if there was any relation between us. Fabulous to learn more about the lives of my forebears, among the Founders of our Republic.

[@zadenwachter9918]

More people should know who they came from. We can draw tremendous strength from our roots! Thanks for sharing your perspective! Also, I can't believe I'm your first reply in over a year.

[@botrosmarzouk6561]

This should be taught to every American. what a fantastic master piece I love this series Every American should have this on top of their collection.

[@m2heavyindustries378]

nah, I prefer Keeping up with the Kardasians, much better acted

[@ispeaknonsense]

This scene in and of itself is dangerous to the government. I doubt they would allowed this in school.

[@botrosmarzouk6561]

ispeaknonsense You are right but that doesn’t mean we can’t teach them that at home.

[@ispeaknonsense]

@@botrosmarzouk6561 That is our duty. In all honesty, we have more of a duty to our children than some public school teacher.

[@karenturner8215]

I used it in my 8th grade history class… they loved it!!

[@ThrillaWhale]

"I sit in judgement of no man's religion Mr. Dickinson...but your _Quaker sensibilities_-"*all the pennsylvanians stand up"Aww shit""Mothafukka""Dis nigga right here"

[@joeysingingchannel]

Do not attack someone's religion in the middle of an argument. Best not to do it ever to be safe.

[@Drakelx55]

Well not all of them, Franklin didn't stand up

[@patrickmp07]

Jeremy Xu I am pretty sure he wasn't a quaker. Or maybe because he was too old.

[@Stefanthenautilus]

The look that Franklin shoots at Adams a moment before that, at 3:26. "Don't say it fam, don't say it, don't fuckin' say-ah fuck."

[@james_giant_peach]

It’s the equivalent of today saying “I’m not a racist but😂”

[@j.peaceo1031]

And that is why the American Revolution did not degenerate into the Reign of Terror that the French Revolution in a blink of an eye became: the grievances of the revolutionaries were tempered by their true love for their English heritage, and most of all, did not germinate from jealousies and greed by one class toward another, but by the interminable desire to be equally considered as Englishmen.

[@fiachramaccana280]

France was invaded by several countries and the counter revolutionaries threatened to kill all the French.... Different circumstances....different context America did not have a corrupt absolute monarchy to deal with....

[@fiachramaccana280]

It may also have escaped your notice but many American colonists were Scots and Dutch...

[@j.peaceo1031]

@@fiachramaccana280 Uhm . . . did you miss the part that Americans were considered English and were being oppressed by King George?

[@fiachramaccana280]

@@j.peaceo1031 laughable nonsense. They came from various parts. Dutch...Scots.... so spare me the Americans were English BS. The largest nationality fighting in the battle of Yorktown was German... Secondly ....oppressed by King George???? wtf.... King George was a constitutional monarch and never initiated legislation. He signed whatever the government told him to sign. You were not oppressed by poor King George. You were oppressed by the elected British parliament ..... After 250 years its time you figured out these basic facts.....

[@jonmiller9925]

I get a chill when Giamatti goes off at 2:23.

[@scottbruckner4653]

Paul is a great actor when given good direction and a good script.

[@davidwalter2002]

@@scottbruckner4653 Loved him in Sideways. His character had good points and bad points, was unlikeable and likable, seemed hopeless, but still had potential for redemption. He really plumbed deep for that characterization.

[@MrHarbltron]

a good actor playing someone with skin in the game

[@buckeyewill2166]

That Yankee heritage came out in him.

[@AbrahamLincoln4]

2:06 lmao Washington and Jefferson is just chilling in the background

[@LaughingOwlKiller]

The acting in this mini series was just top notch. Not an "A" list actor in the bunch but all delivered Oscar worthy performances. From subtle rising anger to eloquent arguing.

[@HopeisAnger]

The A list is just a list of who is Beautiful. This show's cast is a list of who is Skilled.

[@RichMatarese]

Given the American colonists' conscious identity as Englishmen - for such they had considered themselves - neither in the Congress nor in the Parliament were the governing officers unaware of the English Civil Wars of the previous century and the fundamental basis of law established in the English Bill of Rights and the other components of what is even today known as the English Constitution. It's possible to consider the American colonists' drive to secession as a logical - perhaps inevitable - extension of those English Civil Wars, caused by both the monarchy and the Parliament having forgotten the lessons learned in the years leading up to the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

[@stanpines9197]

Hear, hear

[@timothygibney159]

Absolutely. Who were the loosers in the English Civil wars? The puritans and the Catholics. What happened to them? They lost their rights to vote (catholics).... and they came to America :-). Lord Baltimore formed Maryland where Catholics could worship without persecution and could have their own state house of laws. Massachusetts we all know were filled with radical puritans and pilgrims who also lost the Anglicans (Episcopalians) . These 2 groups HATED the crown. New York/New Jersey though loyalist had huge populations of Dutch and mixed ancestry who lost to England and resented it. These 3 groups would LOVE to absolve from the British crown even if they do identify as cultural and ethically British. Ireland was in poverty too and some immigrants came due to more jobs and land as well as a minority. It made since this was an extension to that war as the king of England ignored America and even Massachusetts made their own coins for years free of royal rule. The riots brought a heavy hand down that they escaped from.

[@gstrummer]

Amazing performance.

[@Yoseman1]

Yes and no. Adam's spoke with a lisp, and taking that out of the equation changes everything.

[@SovereignStatesman]

PERFECT how they show Jefferson right in front of the window, like he's the brains behind the American Revolution.

[@Cjnw]

I think that Virginia had the greatest role in establishing the new country.

[@yourlOcalcatperson7]

Now these are men that have the balls to listen. Today men don't have those balls.

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Correct... Anyone in the room: "Well, Mr. Adams.. you are just a racist, misogynist, homophobic Hater!!" Uh.. it might interest you to know, good sir, that I'm just about the only one in the room who does NOT own other humans.. And I FREQUENTLY consult my wife regarding political matters." Well.... . you're still a hater! You'd go nuts trying to pull this off today.

[@bretthess6376]

That's what the evildoers would like us you to think.

[@yourlOcalcatperson7]

@@bretthess6376 i wrote this in 6th grade dude. i don't think this anymore

[@sahilhossian2449]

@@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr oof to that one

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

@@sahilhossian2449 - In whatever language that is .. I appreciate your support!

[@Etherdave]

All that for the 'Olive Branch' petition... which George III didn't even read. That said, Dickinson, who seems unnaturally predisposed to reconciliation, really just wants to exhaust all other avenues, before committing the colonies to a war of independence against a major superpower. I like the look on Washington's face, and his unwillingness to enter the debate; he knows what's at stake. Not long later Adams would congratulate Dickinson, both for his oratory, and also the strength of his convictions. Thanks for posting.

[@charlewayne3609]

This was God tier level television. If anyone else craves another beautifully acted bit of period piece historical drama, then you all need to watch 'Peterloo'. Takes place 4 and half decades after these events in 1815 right after the Battle of Waterloo. Its also just got great acting I can't speak of its praises enough. We need more shows and movies like them.

[@Alexander-vg4ss]

Stannis the Mannis Jefferson in background

[@stromgray6239]

2:23-2:49 is my absolute favorite part of whole series

[@Joe-ij6of]

3:21 "I sit in judgement of no man's religion..." 3:26 Franklin perks up and is like: oh shit, don't go there bro

[@larrysmith1568]

Why can't this be shown in schools?

[@ethanwu8782]

This was shown in my middle school US History class, and I'm so so glad it was.

[@yurrintinckelsonn812]

iT WAS REPLACED BY dRAG qUEEN STORY TIME.

[@kevinzhang3313]

Because the historical facts in the miniseries can be taught in a very short amount of time, commonly found in textbooks.

[@pard216]

They can. Why would they not?

[@KevinBalch-dt8ot]

Because there are no PoC portraying the founders. Even Hamilton was White in this miniseries.

[@xcalabur18]

Zeljko Ivanek is fantastic in this series. His performance, in my opinion, did not get the recognition it deserved.

[@CH-vv2hr]

The acting is so perfect. It makes me think I was there

[@emmanuellawyer8562]

One of the best mini series I've ever seen

[@baumann3740]

RIP Tom Wilkinson (Benjamin Franklin actor in John Adams)

[@Completebeast83]

It always sounds like mr Dickinson is on the verge of crying.

[@williamlattanziobill2475]

It is said that in real life Dickinson was sickly (or at least was sick during a portion of the Congressional sessions), so I'm guessing that it they were trying to reflect this in his voice...

[@Mark-xh8md]

Any man with his senses intact should actually be emotional at the prospects of what was being discussed in those sessions.

[@kaminari1927]

Actually speaking like you’re about to cry is an ancient form of persuasive oratory

[@marksusername]

@@williamlattanziobill2475 Yeah they made him look a bit sick in this

[@JohnnyDeur]

@@kaminari1927 that goes for singing too , especially Mexican music

[@vote4carp]

"But your Quaker sensibilities do us a gross disservice, sir." _[everyone stands like, oh no you f'n didn't]_

[@JnEricsonx]

I always liked the fact that, compared to 1776, Dickinson freely admits at 1:55 that yes, we have been wronged greatly in our rights.

[@Astarte037]

Amazing performances by one and all. I sincerely believe the actors have become the historical characters they portray.

[@TheSeanoops]

1:39 I remember the late Supreme Court Justice Anton Scalia saying in a 2011 interview when commenting on the function of the Supreme Court, paraphrased, he said that there is no such thing as rights in the English constitution as parliament is the keeper of their constitution and the rights of the people are what the will parliament says they are. As alluded to by Mr. Dickinson.

[@Geokinkladze]

Well there are plenty of rights in the UK. Yes parliament can make any law it wishes, but the people put the mps in parliament. Whereas of course Scalia and his ilk get to make laws by judicial activism so the good old US of A's natural born right to an abortion can first be given and then taken away 50 years later by people appointed, not elected. It's a system that's survived several hundreds of years and for good reason.

[@marcpeterson1092]

I am so glad they thought to have movie cameras at these important moments in our history.

[@reneem969]

Extraordinary acting.

[@tommyrgrs]

i recommend 2 books: founding brothers and American creation. Both by Joseph Ellis. This entire series by HBO was outstanding.

[@SpawnOfJenova]

"Powder and Artillery are the most infallible and conciliatory measures we can adopt " Sheesh, this line is shockingly relevant in 2021

[@reaper411b]

spoken like a man who's never bled for this country and knows nothing of politics, history, or the founding fathers.

[@86hardluck]

Oh wow. Can't wait to see how it turned out.

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

The whole issue at hand was that Parliament had no authority over the colonies. It was a Pact between the colonies and the King, not Parliament. That Pact had certain conditions that the King was obligated to fulfill. He failed at protecting the colonists and then abandoned them.

[@galanoftaa6439]

God bless this wonderful country!

[@Art-nj9jq]

MJ OConnor - I agree with your original request for blessing from the Almighty, BUT He has already done so. I respectfully request a slight change, rather than the word “bless” let us substitute the word “save” as more appropriate in these times. We have been blessed by so much, let us strive to preserve the blessings we have already been given.

[@emilycupcakegirl367]

YES

[@boogaloofever]

Formed with a somewhat virtuous foundation but it wasn't long before they started invading their neighbours and conquering nearby islands

[@scparker6893]

@@boogaloofever lol do you really think that was uncommon? Can you name a single nation in the history of mankind that didnt attack other nations? That didnt take territory? Even the native americans did this and had been doing it to others for centuries. Why is it that america has to either be worthless or literally pacifism incarnate. It cant just be a good nation. The standards people hold the US to are childish and no other nation is ever held to them.

[@boogaloofever]

@@scparker6893 you should do your homework No other country has military bases like the US

[@joelbeske1504]

More of the younger generations should watch this series to get a better understanding of the efforts made by all those involved during those years.

[@HopeisAnger]

Lmao. It was a 17 year old zoomer who told me the show existed.

[@JWD1992]

The camerawork is great. I love the tight shots of Adams that are shaky and at those "Dutch angles" to show how riled up he is.

[@timstradley5819]

Man this series was amazing. Just started watching it again

[@disengagejam]

wow ... simply stunned by the amazing performances given , this makes me want to watch the entire series !

[@Recoil816]

This is brilliantly acted. Giamatti is just awesome.

[@camq-py7bs]

Something really satisfying about those creeks from chairs lol

[@AllenbysEyes]

To be fair though, there were so many great performances in the series - Wilkinson, Morse, Dillane - that it's understandable why Ivanek got overlooked. Tom Hollander had a nice cameo as King George in episode 4 too, and Rufus Sewell was also quite good as Hamilton.

[@sahilhossian2449]

Is that spiderman actor's cousin

[@tomace4898]

Adams was absolutely in the right here. Especially after Dickinson threatened him and Massachusetts. Both men were heroes. They commanded the utmost respect. Then, now, and forever.

[@DoctorX101]

Often missed in this and not mentioned in the musical/movie 1776, Dickinson became quite the patriot. As you say, he deserved a lot of respect. As does his actor here. Speaks more languages than any man has a right to know!

[@Natabus]

"Their homes, their Possessions, their VERY LIVES!" couldn't help but remind me of Heimskr, the profit in Whiterun, in Skyrim.

[@davecrupel2817]

Praise be to Mighty Talos! \o/

[@josephcook6442]

Are you calling me a coward? -yes, coward! -Madman! -Landlord! -Lawyer!!

[@uuddlrlrbas9904]

I see you're a man of culture as well

[@flanagamer]

The actors who played Rutledge and Dickinson were awesome! 👏🏼

[@markkeller9378]

Brilliant series on the accuracy and founding of our freedom. The trials and tribulations not withstanding. Great men.

[@JonathanGrandt]

“Ok we will send an Olive Branch but Jefferson is going to write it...” Later: Dickinson, “I’m going to fix this...”

[@bourne817]

God I wish I can speak like these fine men

[@B4brenda]

when does the rap battle start?

[@chrisd2051]

Brenda Cuellar I would make a series on that

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

Wait, I was under the impression that all our founding fathers were black and spoke in jive language?

[@hugoarcada]

@@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg Some pretend to have been Egyptian Pharaohs, so anything goes.

[@germanrodriguez496]

Dun, dun, dun dudum dudum Thomas claims I found Hamilton on Washington's doorstep one day, in distress and disarray

[@TheLowBrassDude]

After Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin sing about birds

[@benjaminholcomb9478]

I can't believe they just cut the clip off like that. How ever will we know how it ended??!??!?? Lol

[@IamLettuce13]

amazing that this footage still exists, and the quality of the image is pretty good for hundreds of years old

[@dw1419]

R.I.P. David McCullough, popular historian par excellence, whose incredible John Adams biography was the basis for this series

[@23Revan84]

I have 3 of his books all good, I didn’t know he passed. 😢

[@richardpanio6242]

By far John Adams is Paul Giamatti’s best performance

[@NetherStray]

If I had any criticism for this series, it's that John Adams needs to speak the hell up.

[@johnholliday5874]

We need a John Adams today.

[@realbradybrown]

I wish I could travel back and see this part of history with my own eyes

[@Mike-n1q3s]

Liked the way that walking stick snuck into frame

[@aarontate1667]

Fact is nobody likes violent confrontations with anyone over anything but the fact is the men who stand up and say “I’ve had enough” who took up arms to fight til the end were the ones who are remembered not the ones who would rather “lie down on the ground like snakes…”

[@nitagirl614]

So cool ..I'm a descendant of John Adams. One of his granddaughters married a Downs man and he was traced to our family. Downs is my maiden name and my ancestors arrived as early settlers in 1607.

[@coldstonestunners]

and now we are in the same predicament

[@justinmcclung6030]

Religious cringe at 3:20.. Ben Franklin's look said "Uh, John?" The guy behind him " Nah, he ain't gonna." Then all the the guys who stood up "Ah heeellll no!"

[@jinchuriki7022]

Great debates

[@HopeisAnger]

In the absence of certainty, even the best of men will argue. And that was a very uncertain moment.