How did Abigail Adams view the war for independence at home?

OCR: 5 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT SHE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (1774-09-24): Abigail Adams believed that the cause of independence was just and that they would ultimately prevail. She expressed this belief in her letter, stating that 'our cause being good, we shall finally prevail.' "I will not despair, but will believe that, our cause being good, we shall finally prevail." [1]
• BELIEF (1775-07-16): Abigail Adams viewed the war for independence as a noble and difficult task, emphasizing the sacrifice required and the importance of perseverance for a future reward. She expressed concern for the challenges faced by those involved and praised the bravery of those who took action. [2]
• BELIEF (1776-07-21): Abigail Adams viewed the war for independence at home with enthusiasm and support, as shown by her detailed account of the public celebration of the Proclamation for Independence and the removal of symbols of royal authority. (key quote above) [3]
• BELIEF (1776-08-14): Abigail Adams viewed the Declaration of Independence with approval and reverence, as shown by her account of it being read from the pulpit and the blessing requested for the United States of America. (key quote above) [4]
• BELIEF (1777-09-20): Abigail Adams viewed the war for independence at home with confidence in the people's spirit and determination. She believed that if the American forces were attacked, they would resist strongly, describing them as a 'race of Amazons in America.' "We possess a spirit that will not be conquered. If our men are all drawn off and we should be attacked, you would find a race of Amazons in America." [5]
• BELIEF (1785-09-06): Abigail Adams believed that the British were trying to undermine American independence and that the United States must struggle to become a great and powerful nation. She viewed the British as acting out of a belief that the Americans were weary of independence and wished to return under their government, and she criticized their approach as being driven by prohibitory acts and heavy duties rather than generous plans. [6]
• BELIEF (1787-05-14): Abigail Adams viewed the war for independence as a successful endeavor that achieved independence, but expressed concern that the nation had become indolent and intoxicated after the war, leading to the exile of humble virtues and the rise of luxury and dissipation. "During the late war, success crowned our efforts, and gave us independence. Our misfortune is, that we became indolent and intoxicated. Luxury, with ten thousand evils in her train, exiled the humble virtues." [7]
• BELIEF (1804-08-18): Abigail Adams expressed a desire to see her children and grandchildren heirs to the freedom and independence obtained by Jefferson and his predecessor, indicating she viewed the war for independence as a significant achievement that secured future generations' liberty. "desirous of seeing my children and grandchildren heirs to that freedom and independence which you and your predecessor united your efforts to obtain." [8]
• BELIEF (1812-12-30): Abigail Adams viewed the war for independence as a just cause, noting that the United States had 'passed through one revolution and have happily arrived at the goal.' She also expressed concern that the current war was being criticized as unjust and unnecessary, contrasting it with the justified struggle for independence. "We have passed through one revolution and have happily arrived at the goal, but the ambition, injustice and plunder of foreign powers have again involved us in war, the termination of which is not given us to see." [9]
• BELIEF (undated): Abigail Adams viewed the war for independence at home as less distressing than the havoc made by the pestilence. She believed that the desolation caused by the war was not as distressing as the loss of family members to disease. "The desolation of war is not so distressing,' she writes, 'as the havoc made by the pestilence." [10]

What cuts against it

• BELIEF (1776-07-07): John Adams (not Abigail Adams) expressed a view of the colonies' political maneuvering and the potential for reconciliation, which contrasts with Abigail's unwavering support for independence. [11]

• BELIEF (1776-07-03): John Adams (not Abigail Adams) expressed a view that a Declaration of Independence made earlier might have led to different outcomes, including alliances and the conquest of Canada, which contrasts with Abigail's belief in the just cause of independence. [12]

• ACTION (1777-03-16): John Adams (not Abigail Adams) described the political and social dynamics in Philadelphia, which contrasts with Abigail's focus on the moral and just cause of independence. [3]

• ACTION (1783-02-18): John Adams (not Abigail Adams) expressed a desire to return home and a resignation from his position, which contrasts with Abigail's continued advocacy for the cause of independence. [5]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Abigail Adams believed that the cause of independence was just and that they would ultimately prevail. [1]

2. She viewed the war for independence as a noble and difficult task, emphasizing the sacrifice required and the importance of perseverance for a future reward. [2]

3. Abigail Adams expressed a desire to see her children and grandchildren heirs to the freedom and independence obtained by Jefferson and his predecessor, indicating she viewed the war for independence as a significant achievement that secured future generations' liberty. [8]

4. She viewed the Declaration of Independence with approval and reverence, as shown by her account of it being read from the pulpit and the blessing requested for the United States of America. [4]

5. Abigail Adams believed that the British were trying to undermine American independence and that the United States must struggle to become a great and powerful nation. [6]

3. HER TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: Abigail Adams viewed the war for independence at home with enthusiasm and support, as shown by her detailed account of the public celebration of the Proclamation for Independence and the removal of symbols of royal authority. She believed that the cause of independence was just and that they would ultimately prevail.

Competing readings: The record itself states that Abigail Adams believed in the just cause of independence and the people's spirit and determination. There are no direct inferences that contradict this view.

Confidence: High, as the record directly supports her view of the war for independence at home.