Miniseries

Chronicles the story of the Adams political family over a 150-year span, including John Adams (drafter and signer of the Declaration, accomplished diplomat, and the 2nd President of the U.S.), his wife Abigail Adams, his son John Quincy Adams (acclaimed Secretary of State, the 6th President, and prominent abolitionist Congressman), grandson Charles Francis Adams, Congressman and Ambassador to Great Britain during the Civil War, and much-heralded members of the fourth generation Henry Brooks Adams, the historian and author of the novel Democracy, and Charles Francis Adams II, the industrialist.

Episodes

Each episode has its own detail page.

Episode 158 min1976-01-20

Chapter 1: John Adams, Lawyer

John Adams centers his ambitions on becoming a lawyer of repute and marrying parson's daughter Abigail Smith.

Episode 258 min1976-01-27

Chapter 2: John Adams, Revolutionary

Adams returns to Braintree after successfully defending the Redcoats, but Hancock soon lures him back into politics.

Episode 357 min1976-02-03

Chapter 3: John Adams, Diplomat

Serving as a diplomat in France with Benjamin Franklin, Adams earns a reputation for rudeness.

Episode 459 min1976-02-10

Chapter 4: John Adams, Minister to Great Britain

After nearly five years of separation, Adams' family joins him in Great Britian, where he has been appointed America's first ambassador.

Episode 558 min1976-02-17

Chapter 5: John Adams, Vice President

With General George Washington as President, Adams becomes Vice-President and head of the Senate. When Jefferson's Republicans and Hamilton's Federalists have strongly conflicting views over the French Revolutionary war, Adams finds himself in the middle.

Episode 658 min1976-02-24

Chapter 6: John Adams, President

Increasingly exasperating relations with France lead to the XYZ Affair, then the Quasi-War.

Episode 758 min1976-03-02

Chapter 7: John Quincy Adams, Diplomat

In Ghent, Adams and his delegation struggle to negotiate an end to the War of 1812.

Episode 858 min1976-03-09

Chapter 8: John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State

During the Seminole War, the executions of Arbuthnot and Ambrister in Spanish Florida create a diplomatic incident. The US and Britain consider making a joint statement on the wars in South America, but this evolves into the Monroe Doctrine. In the presidential election, Henry Clay is the kingmaker. Adams becomes sixth President.

Episode 958 min1976-03-16

Chapter 9: John Quincy Adams, President

Hampered by negative press from Jackson's camp, Adams' single term is marked by frustrated efforts to institute national improvements.

Episode 1058 min1976-03-23

Chapter 10: John Quincy Adams, Congressman

Adams wins a seat in the House, where he serves with more success than he had as President.

Episode 1157 min1976-03-30

Chapter 11: Charles Francis Adams, Minister to Great Britain

On the eve of the Civil War, Charles Francis Adams becomes the third generation in the Adams family to be appointed minister to Great Britain.

Episode 1257 min1976-04-06

Chapter 12: Henry Adams, Historian

The sons of Charles Francis Adams endeavor to make their own marks on the world.

Episode 1357 min1976-04-13

Chapter 13: Charles Francis Adams II, Industrialist

While his brother Henry travels the world, Charles Francis II takes charge of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Season Cast

Featured cast for this season.

Cast

Anne Howard Bailey

Narrator (voice)

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