After the Boston Massacre, John Adams decides to defend the accused British soldiers. Adams wins the case only to turn down an offer of a position with the Crown. Adams joins the Continental Congress and leaves his family to head to Philadelphia.
John Adams witnesses the aftermath of the attacks on Lexington and Concord and reports back to Philadelphia. Adams nominates George Washington to lead the Continental Army. Adams supports the independence movement and encourages Thomas Jefferson to write a draft of the Declaration. The States vote to declare Independence from England. Meanwhile, Abigail deals with a smallpox outbreak.
Adams is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France, but must be away from Abigail. Abigail wants him to take their son John Quincy. On the trip to France, the differences in Adams and Ben Franklin become obvious.
While recovering from his illness in Holland, Adams learns that the British have surrendered at Yorktown. The Dutch have a change of heart and give Adams money for America.
Elected America's first Vice President, Adams is scolded by Abigail for his vanity, and is frustrated by his exclusion from President Washington's inner circle.
Abandoned by Jefferson for retaining Washington's cabinet, President Adams holds firm on keeping the nation out of war, despite French aggression and pro-war sentiment among his advisors.
In retirement, Adams starts writing his memoirs, then endures a series of tragedies when his daughter Nabby dies of cancer and Abigail succumbs to typhoid fever a few years later.