Education
The need for better education in America was growing. The amount of uneducated and poor citizens were increasing, threatening the nation's attempts of continued success for the future. By providing improved and free pubic education, the nation hoped to improve the status of the country (less poor, less crime). The education reform movement involved the entire nation making an effort to improve the country in order to benefit it's future. This motivation created nationalism.
People:
People:
- Horace Mann: The leading advocate of public schools believed that free education would lead to general prosperity of the nation, reduce crime and poverty, improve social justice and strengthen institutions. As the secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education he worked to build better schools, improve curriculum, obtained a minimum six month school year and higher salaries for teachers.
- Emma Willard and Mary Lyon: Both women attempted to improved women's education. Willard founded the Female Seminary in New York. Lyon opened the Mount Holyoke Seminary in Massachusetts.
- William Holmes McGuffey: In 1836 McGuffey's Eclectic Reader impacted elementary school instruction. The textbook emphasized cultural and moral standards, patriotism and supported nationalism. The textbooks provided the basis for the kind of behavior needed for the industrial society.
- Josiah Holbrook: Introduced the lyceum movement (lectures on the arts and sciences) in Massachusetts. Holbrook founded the first lyceum in Massachusetts in 1826. The system spread across the northern states.
- The main idea of the education reform movement was the need for free and improved education in the country. Education needed to be provided for the people in order for the nation to grow and be a leading nation.