Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic

Center for Presidential History Senior Fellow and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library Lindsay Chervinsky joins the CPH to speak about her new book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic. This account of America’s second president illuminates how John Adams tackled the immense challenges posed to him and left a major mark on the office of the presidency, all the while fending off the machinations of political rivals like Thomas Jefferson and obstruction from his own cabinet.

Entering office in 1797, John Adams had to fill the shoes of a political titan: George Washington. Under his shadow, and with little guidance, the experienced Massachusetts politician would navigate crises and defend his office, stubbornly relying on his own beliefs on the extent of executive power, the Constitution, and politics to guide him. He was confronted with mounting partisan division, the threat of political violence, questions of citizenship, and close calls of war, and more, yet successfully defended his office and the nation. Setting the precedent of the peaceful transfer of power, Adams enshrined one of the hallmarks of American democracy.

Chervinsky’s work paints a portrait of the man and his times, detailing the pivotal role he played in the creation of American political norms and the role of the presidency. Chervinsky is a presidential historian, and also the author of The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution and a regular podcast guest, appearing frequently on the Listening to America podcast. She will assume her role at the George Washington Presidential Library on July 22nd, 2024.