.Select all the correct answers.
Which two concepts do both of these letters address?
A/ a code of laws that limits the power men have over women
B/ the idea of women organizing a rebellion
C/the claim that in reality, women dominate men
D/ the idea that women, children, and apprentices are all becoming rebellious
E/ commercial laws governing trade between the states
John Adams and Abigail Adams wrote more than 1,100 letters to one another from 1762 through 1801. The letters include John's thoughts while serving in various diplomatic roles, as well as Abigail's updates about their family, farm, and news of the Revolution's impact on the Boston area. The following are two of the letters sent between the Adams's during John's participation in the Continental Congress.
Passage 1
excerpt adapted from Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March–5 April 1776
I long to hear that you have declared an independency—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend.
Passage 2
excerpt adapted from Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 April 1776
As to Declarations of Independency, be patient. Read our Privateering Laws, and our Commercial Laws. What signifies a Word.
As to your extraordinary Code of Laws, I cannot but laugh. We have been told that our Struggle has loosened the bands of Government everywhere. That Children and Apprentices were disobedient—that schools and Colleges were grown turbulent—But your Letter was the first Intimation that another Tribe more numerous and powerful than all the rest were grown discontented. This is rather too coarse a Compliment but you are so saucy, I won't blot it out.
Depend on it, We know better than to repeal our Masculine systems. Although they are in full Force, you know they are little more than Theory. We dare not exert our Power in its full Latitude. We are obliged to go fair, and softly, and in Practice you know We are the subjects . . . I begin to think the Ministry as deep as they are wicked. After stirring up (others) at last they have stimulated thee to demand new Privileges and threaten to rebel.
