John Yankee : John Adams and the Boston Massacre

Teaching Film Custodians abridged classroom version of a Cavalcade of America television series episode, "John Yankee" (season 1, episode 19), which originally aired June 10th, 1953 on NBC-TV. When other lawyers fear public opinion and refuse to defend eight British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston Massacre of 1770, John Adams, then a young lawyer, takes their case in the interest of justice, though his action may jeopardize the start of his political career. His brilliant defense saves the lives of the soldiers and awakens Bostonians and all Americans to the principle of liberty founded upon justice and law., Records John Adams' defense of eight British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston massacre of 1770. Explains that Adams took the case in the interest of justice even though it may have jeopardized his policital career. Shows how his defense saved the soldiers' lives and awakened the colonists to the principle of liberty founded on justice and law.