John Adams on HBO

It is a great mini series. I watched them when they were airing. Well worth checking out on DVD.

Thought they were awesome

That's a nice serie!! Thanks!

Awesome series. Everytime George Washington comes on screen I feel strangely proud and patriotic

All I can think of after I watched the series was "Man what would Sam Adams do if he was asked to remove his shoes before getting on a plane or stopped at a random "check point" or asked to remove his papers/laptop from his bag or asked to carry a "real id"?"

is it good? Ive been seeing this at BlockBuster and John Adams was one of our best leaders...

I wish he was around now to jack current leaders into place...

This is America God dammit!

was a great series. might buy this on DVD set as well

Consider that he approved of and signed the Alien and Sedition Act; especially the Sedition Act. You really think he'd have a problem with those things you mentioned?

"SECTION II. Punishes seditious writings.
1. Definition of offence:

To write, print, utter or publish, or cause it to be done, or assist in it, any false, scandalous, and malicious writing against the government of the United States, or either House of Congress, or the President, with intent to defame, or bring either into contempt or disrepute, or to excite against either the hatred of the people of the United States, or to stir up sedition, or to excite unlawful combinations against the government, or to resist it, or to aid or encourage hostile designs of foreign nations."

It's great. phenomenal casting.

cool, ill rent it tonight or tomorrow

"In 1798, President Adams signed into law the Alien and Sedition Acts. These acts were four bills which were designed to crush the opposition. The Naturalization Act made it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens. It raised the amount of years required for naturalization from four to fifteen. This act was repealed in 1802. The Alien Act empowered the president to arrest and deport any alien who is considered to be dangerous. This act expired in 1800.

The Alien Enemies Act was directed at French immigrants. It authorized the president to round up and imprison enemy aliens during war time. This act expired in 1801. The Naturalization and Alien Acts were aimed largely at Irish immigrants and French refugees who had participated in political activities critical to the Adams administration. In a severe blow to the freedom of the press, the sedition act threatened with fine and imprisonment anyone who "shall write, print, utter or publish...scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the government of the United States, or either House of the Congress...or the President...with intent to defame...or to bring them...into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against them...the hatred of the good people of the United States."

The Sedition Act was an attempt to curb newspaper editors who supported the Republican Party and who, in many cases, were also immigrants and refugees. Before this act expired, twenty five people were arrested and about ten were convicted. Some of them were later pardoned."

Yeah. i need to buy the series and watch it again. I thought it was that good.

Another interesting story. The "midnight Judges".
http://law.jrank.org/pages/8558/Midnight-Judges.html

When Adams lost the 1800 election, the nation was only twenty-four years old. The Constitution, ratified in 1789, was even younger. For more than two decades, the Federalists and the Republicans had argued over their competing visions of strong federal government versus STATES' RIGHTS. The 1800 election crystallized these opposing philosophies. Adams and the Federalists accused the Republicans of intending to plunder property and undermine civilized society. On the other side, Jefferson and the Republicans attacked the Federalists for trying to subvert the guarantees of the BILL OF RIGHTS. The election tipped the balance of power. With the Republicans capturing the White House and Congress, it appeared that Jefferson's party would at last have the upper hand.

But the Federalists intended to preserve their power. Just before time ran out on the Adams administration, they enacted the Judiciary Act of 1801. This sweeping law struck at a key point of contention: the jurisdiction of the federal courts. The Republicans wanted the federal courts to be constrained, but the new law gave these courts increased jurisdiction over land and BANKRUPTCY cases. The federal courts now had greater authority at the expense of the states. The act added six new federal circuits with sixteen new judges. As a final measure, they also added dozens of new justices of the peace to the District of Columbia. Between December 12 and March 4, President Adams, with the approval of the Senate, busily stacked the courts with his own people. If the Federalists could not control Washington through elected office, they would at least dictate the composition of the judiciary.

This is considered the low point of his presidency (obviously), he did this under pressure from his party. Interestly enough it was because of France. French nationals comprised somewhere like one fourth of the nation's population and as France was declaring war on America, fear and conflict broke out. America at this time had no standing army and no way to deal with fighting in or outside the country. (Btw I am not stating that the Act was good.)

The John Adams biography that the movie was taken from is wonderful. The series missed a lot.

Nice show but pure entertainment. Many historical figures are ridiculed. It's funny but not too professional.

I said Sam Adams not John. They were pretty opposite.

I enjoyed it and thought it got boring as the season went on. Good stuff by HBO tho

I likey....

I don't like that show