Browse Exhibits (2 total)
Education in the Early American Republic
Education is a concept that is constantly evolving, getting reformed to adapt to society. Throughout American history, education changed to follow the culture and values of the nation. As various demographics have earned more rights, their representation in education increased, but we are still far from justice and equity. It is important to understand the development of early American education to make connections between revolutionary ideals and educational beliefs. Finding correlations is crucial in gaining knowledge of the foundations of education. Leaders in the Revolutionary War held strong beliefs of liberty and freedom, and research can identify how that impacted curriculum in schools and the effect of education on different demographics. The development of education expands far more than core subjects. The foundation of education in America evolved from beliefs and values instilled in the republic. As the war for independence had concluded, motivation for freedom and democracy was at the forefront of American priorities. In addition, religion was a significant aspect of the American identity, and founders of American education push for religious-centered institutions. Furthermore, while the United States emphasized freedom and natural rights, this did not guarantee equal education for all citizens.
The development of early American education was the result of various American foundational factors that influenced beliefs and priorities in the system.
This exhibit will explore how the Revolutionary War had a significant impact on the development and foundational values of early American education. Throughout the pages, you will find interpretations of how revolutionary values, religious influence, and education for minorities framed the beginning of education in the early American Republic.
Public Education: More Revolutionary Than We Thought?
When we think about the history of public education, we might think about one-room schoolhouses, Horace Mann, or John Dewey. But what we typically don't realize, is that our history goes back further. A LOT further. The Enlightenment movement in Europe produced new ideas about society and government, and American colonial academies taught these ideas in the generation leading up to the Revolutionary War. Our founding fathers came to believe that public education was the cornerstone to a democracy and, while it didn't materialize on a national level for the first century of American independence, they built the foundation for so much of what we have today.