Abstract

From Founding Fathers to “Obnoxious and Disliked” and the “Bastard Orphan,” this project examines the political knowledge and perception that individuals have of John Adams’s and Alexander Hamilton’s contributions to the creations of the American standards of governance through viewing 1776 and Hamilton: An American Musical. This Independent Study draws on historical scholarship of the American Revolution, presidential biographical work on Adams and Hamilton, primary pieces of media being Hamilton and 1776, and political science research on political knowledge and education as well as political perception and film. I investigate what knowledge and perceptions individuals have of Adams’s and Hamilton’s contributions to the creation of the America standards of governance and how that knowledge and perception changes after viewing 1776 and Hamilton. In order to understand political actions today, based on founder’s intent and political opinions formed under the influence of this ‘intent,’ it is imperative to understand the knowledge and perception that individuals have regarding Adams and Hamilton and their political contributions, how it differs from who they were historically, and how popular media portrayals of Adams and Hamilton can influence the knowledge and perception individuals already hold.

Advisor

Wrobel, Megan

Second Advisor

Adams, Beatrice

Department

History; Political Science

Keywords

John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, 1776, Hamilton, Political Knowledge, Political Perception, Standards of Governance, Founding Fathers, American Politics

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2025 Heather Cook