Americanization of Education The Beginning

The Enlightenment –What was the Enlightenment? Era of reform, progressive thought that influenced thinking in Europe, America beginning in 18 th, early 19 th centuries –What were influences on developing Enlightenment thought? Protestant Reformation Scientific Advancement –Anatomy, Astronomy, Physics Philosophy –NATURE, REASON

Reason Above All Christianity begins to lose central role in conceptualizing the universe –Why? Enlightenment thinkers envision the universe as ‘a machine governed by unalterable laws’ –Empiricism –Science

Reason leads to… …Happiness! –How? Once man understands the universe, he will reject illogical thought, ‘unnatural behavior’ –Tyranny, poverty, artificial inequality French Revolution!

The Puritans Lose Thinkers reject idea that man was inherently sinful –John Locke ‘tabula rasa’ –Heavy influence of experience, sensation, reflection –Jean-Jacques Rousseau Man is inherently good –‘Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains’ »Man is corrupted by those chains!

‘The Great Clockmaker’ Many Enlightenment thinkers were Deists –God created the universe and stepped back –Man is part of that Creation, but is left alone to use Reason to divine the rules of the universe Some claimed to be Christians, but rejected certain aspects of the faith –Voltaire, Paine

Creating a New America The Role of Education –Fusing of educational theory with political theory Why was it important to create public schools after the birth of the nation? Questions of Consideration –Social good vs. Individual Good –What does it mean to be an American? –How far should Americans be educated?

Thomas Jefferson Desired elimination of ‘artificial aristocracy’ –Expand opportunity for land ownership Elimination of state support of religion

The Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge 1778/1779 –Plan to create a form of universal education in Virginia Truly universal? –Literacy, computation, history, citizenship –Basic elementary education for all children Opportunity for highest achievers to continue

Why Must We Educate Our Children?-Jefferson’s View The only way to combat tyranny and ignorance is to equip all citizens with the tools to understand it –What are those tools? Government requires watchdogs, and only an educated people can control the government? –Consequences?

Benjamin Rush and ‘Republican Machines’ Need to make the habits and ideals of republican government an integral part of citizen thinking

Public Schooling Why should our taxes support public citizenship education? –Think of the consequences if they do not!

The Republican Machine Need for shared understanding, conformity in thinking of all citizens –Tyranny can only be avoided by fitting the thoughts of all citizens together, as in a machine, to create ‘regularity and uniformity in government’ What does this attitude imply about the faith of the Founders in the ‘common man’?

The Role of religion Unlike Jefferson, Rush believed that moral education could not happen without religion –Interaction of Christianity and republican government ‘A Christian cannot fail of being a republican’ –FLAWS IN HIS ARGUMENT? State has the right to impose a particular denomination –WHY?

The Primary Goal of Education Love of Country! –Patriotism above all else except God –Country over family –The citizen as public property

Creating Public Schools Rush pushes for ‘national’ university established by federal government Suggests that all future leadership be required to earn a degree from a federally established university –Potential problems?

Noah Webster American Spelling Book, American Dictionary of the English Language Recognized the need for educated citizenry –Feared the mob and too much freedom –‘quiet Christians’ Obedience to legitimate authority

The American Spelling Book and Dictionary Need to create a system of language that was separate from traditional British English –What role does language play in development of national consciousness?

Textbooks The Spellers

The Texts and Americanization Textbooks –Significant role in shaping conceptions of ‘American’ –Emphasized white, middle class, Protestant values Obedience to authority/appreciation for republicanism Work ethic Temperance Meritocracy Capitalism –Myths

‘You ain’t no real A-mur-can’ Texts were heavily biased against –Immigrants –Native Americans –African Americans –Catholics –Women Story of unending progress