American Revolution /

Industrial Revolution

1750 - 1820

Prominent Events
Classical Era

The Age of Enlightenment 1750-1800 - This really began

to emphasize that reason was key to knowledge. (Logic,
Mathematics, Scientific Method). Philosophers had a new
world view based on physics. They started applying
scientific theories to religion using experimentation,
observation, and hypothesis.

Prominent Events

Industrial Revolution 1760 - This had an

economical effect on how the world produced
goods. The population went from agricultural to
industrial. This caused people to leave their farms
and take work in factories. Families required their
children to help supplement their income, which
lead to a decline in education. This was also a
generation that did not experience childhood and
was a loss of innocence.

Prominent Events

First edition of the Ecvyladpedia Britanica 1771

American Revolution 1775 - 1783

Signing of Declaration of Independence 1776

American War of Independence 1776

Bill of Rights 1791

First Vaccination 1796

George Washington became the first American president 1798

Louisiana Purchase 1803

War of 1812

Prominent Figures in
Early Education

Thomas Jefferson - Stood up for Education. Was

quoted saying I believe that even the common
man should benefit from an education because at
that time there were only private institutions and
sparse public institutions. He also tried to
convince Virginia to fund elementary and
secondary schools. Arguably Americas advocate
for free public education.

Prominent Figures in
Early Education

Noah Webster - Published his first work in 1783.

This eventually became The Blue Books that
have sold more than 20 million copies nationally.
Blue Books were the foundation of todays
Websters Dictionary.

Benjamin Franklin - Contributed many advances in

education and helped open many educational
institutions. Founded the Postal Service we still
have today. Also made the discovery that
lightning is electricity.

Prominent Figures in
Early Education

Horace Mann - Worked tirelessly to get national

support for public education. He was heavily
opposed by private school owners, taxpayers,
rural residents and members of the upper class.
They did not believe that public education was in
their best interest because as the upper class they
were the ones in society that held power. He
battled these oppositions and helped form the
public education system that we use today.

Key Points

Curriculum was centered on teaching basic

reading and writing skills, math, along with
christian principles

US textbooks had a lot of patriotic and moralistic

sayings and were based on the Old and New
Testament

Teaching required memorizing facts, choral

responses, and corporal punishment

Key Points

Education was seen as the tool to establish and

promote growth of concept such as freedom,
liberty, and democracy to secure the US for
generations to come

Northwest Ordinance of 1785 established a

precedent for public financing of Education

Less than 10% of the population was able to read

and write

Key Points

Benjamin Franklins Academy was established in

1751

The good education on youth has been esteem

by wise men in all ages, as the surest foundation
of the happiness both of private families and of
common wealths - Benjamin Franklin