John Adams was not a marble statue. He was a man of nerves, pride, and passion who helped build a new nation while wrestling with his own humanity. As the second president of the United States and one of the sharpest minds of the Revolution, Adams fought for independence, defended the rule of law, and gave the young Republic its conscience.

In this episode of Dave Does History, we explore the life of a founder who refused to bend to popularity. From his fiery debates in Congress to his complicated friendship with Jefferson, from his partnership with Abigail to his struggle to govern in a divided nation, Adams lived by conviction, not convenience. He left office unloved but undiminished, a man who believed that principle was the soul of freedom. Two centuries later, his stubborn integrity still speaks to the heart of the American experiment.