Compare And Contrast The Dictators And The Declaration Of Independence

“The Collaborators” describes how former collaborators, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, formed new collaborations as they found themselves on opposite sides of the political division that emerged at the end of the Washington presidency. The fact that Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the of the Declaration of Independence makes their relationship so much more intriguing and it is hard to think of one without thinking of the other. Ellis writes of them, “They were the odd couple of the American Revolution”… “who lived together through some of the most formative events of the revolutionary era”(163). They were different in ideology, appearance and manner. Even though they were bonded because of their

This was accomplished without any historical guide but with the sense that they were creating something significant yet fragile. Both believed that their own ideologies were the way to keep the nation strong and successful. “The great collaboration was destined to become the great competition.” (171) as they competed for presidency. Their differences grew when Adams became president and Jefferson became vice president. Their ideas on how to run the country were as different as their personalities. Jefferson believed in individual states rights whereas Adams favored a strong central government. Adams hoped to keep the friendship and believed “intimacy trumped ideology” (179) but Jefferson was urged by Madison’s to be loyal to the Republican opposition and not to his old friend. This became his primary

His new collaboration was with his wife, Abigail. She knew his emotional makeup and she had good political instincts which rivaled Madison’s. She was his confidante and closest friend. She understood the politics of the day and she knew Washington and Jefferson. She was his full supporter and guided, consoled and nursed him through the process. She was his calm and closest ally, better than a