Ch 5 and 6 summary (Founding Brothers)

Ch. 5 The Collaborators

In 1796, it was quite clear that in this election, a concept brand new to the country, the choice was between Adams or Jefferson. Both men were complete polar opposites but also were great friends and colleagues with great respect for one another.
When Washington was first chosen as president, Adams became victim to what he is quoted as saying as "the most insignificant office in man's creation": the Vice Presidency. The friendship between Adams and Jefferson was strained throughout his term as VP with many controversial debates in the Senate over choices made by Adams. As the figurative gap between Republicans and Federalists widened, so did the relationship between Adams and Jefferson.
The possible conflict with the currently unstable France was the deciding factor that pushed the two men to opposite sides. Even as Adams' eventual Vice President, Jefferson decided to split from him and implement the Republican party with Madison as his collaborator. The two launched a series of anti-Adams propaganda which all but extinguished the Federalist party. By the 1800 election, Jefferson's new party had established a name for itself in politics, allowing him to clinch the presidency. Before Adams left office, though, he signed a treaty with France that would end hostilities. He could leave his post knowing he put the country on a good course.

Ch6. The Frienship

Adams developed a disdain for his once good friend, Jefferson, further feuled by a feeling of betrayal because of the anti-Adams slander of the last term. This was clearly not on the mind of Jefferson who was busy doubling the size of the states with the Lousiana Purchase. His second term was not as successful and some failed economic policies ended in disaster. The once friendship between Jefferson and Adams took a backseat to the two's desperate want to be immortalized in their writings.
Eventually their correspondence became something of a debate between two separate ideals. After a while, approximately 1820, they were both probably of advanced age and the arguing eventually stopped. They new death was inevitable and both gave into feelings of nostalgia with their last letters to one another.
Thomas Jefferson died on July 4th, 1820, 50 years after the signing of the Declaration. On that same day, Adams fell unconcious then awoke saying, "Thomas Jefferson survives." He, too, passed away then.